Guidance, Obedience, and Suffering
Acts 9:10–16 (NASB95)
10Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying, 12and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight.” 13But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem; 14and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” 15But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; 16for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
Acts 9:10–16 recounts complementary visions given to Ananias and Saul (Paul), highlighting God’s sovereign orchestration of Saul’s conversion and calling. These dual revelations reflect biblical precedents (e.g., Peter and Cornelius in Acts 10:3–16) and serve as divine validation of Saul’s transformation from persecutor to apostle. By directing Ananias, a lesser-known disciple, to Saul, Jesus breaks down mistrust within the early church and ensures communal involvement in Saul’s commissioning. The visions emphasize Luke’s theological focus: God’s mission flourishes through ordinary believers united in obedience.
Ananias initially balks at Jesus’ command to meet Saul, citing his violent reputation. Yet his compliance models the church’s call to faith over fear. Like Moses and Jeremiah, Ananias voices concern but acts in trust, bridging Saul’s radical transformation with the believing community. His role as a “devout observer of the law” later legitimizes Paul’s apostleship to Jewish audiences, proving God’s grace transcends human prejudice.
Jesus describes Saul as a “chosen vessel” (or instrument in vs. 15), transformed from persecutor to herald of the Gospel. Paul no longer belongs to himself; he is now a vessel for Christ’s mission and ministry. His mission crosses ethnic and social boundaries: bearing Christ’s name “before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.” The Lord has redefined Saul’s zeal into a global testimony. However, Saul’s mission will be marked by suffering, foreshadowing Paul’s trials (Acts 20:23; 2 Cor 11:23–28) and aligning him with Christ’s own journey.
The Lord’s warning that Saul “must suffer for My name” ties discipleship to the cross. While Jewish tradition viewed suffering as atoning, Luke reframes it as participation in Christ’s redemptive mission. Saul’s future hardships authenticate his message (2 Cor 4:7–12) and mirror Jesus’ call to sacrificial witness.
For us today, we should learn to embrace God’s assignments even when they are uncomfortable or defy human logic. Christ’s words remind us that discipleship will involve hardships and costs. We should be prepared for this. Lastly, just as Ananias had a role to play in Christ’s plan, the church today should empower every member to fulfill their calling. Prominence plays no part in Christ’s mission.
Blessings,
Ryan Goodnight