Paul’s Conversion

As pastors, we often hear people tell us, “I’ve done too many bad things.” This is the story that proves, for God, there is no past that is too much. No life that is beyond the reach of Jesus.

Destruction, death, and violence do not get the final word. Jesus interrupts the very person who is perpetuating harm and hostility. Jesus turns Saul around and makes him a part of the very beloved community he once sought to kill.

In a life of spiritual blindness, Saul had been a leading prosecutor of the Church. On the road, he encounters the light of Jesus and becomes physically blind. Jesus has Saul sit in darkness before transforming blindness into sight.

Once more, as is God’s habit, God chooses the least likely person to speak God’s Good News.

This isn’t a conversion story. This isn’t a change of opinion or perspective. This is a complete reorientation of life as Saul knew it.

God initiatives this transformation; however, it cannot happen without Ananias. The laying on of hands and the baptism signify that healing and transformation come through relationship and community, not in isolation.

Put yourself in Ananias’ shoes. Imagine God calling you to the work of restoration of Saul. You’ve heard the horrific stories about this man. And yet, Ananis did as the Lord told him to do.

This interaction between Saul and Ananias is a great reminder that sometimes when everything in you is saying no, trust God anyway. Trust entails knowing that God has a future bigger than we could ever imagine.

God’s plans consistently defy human expectation. Saul’s blindness. Ananias’ initial reluctance. Both show their limited vision of God. God bursts onto the scene and surprisingly puts together this pair to enact God’s great purposes.