Peter in HD 39: “All for the Want of a Nail”
I believe that I can say this without equivocation. See if by the end of this PODCAST, you agree with me.
My unequivocal observation? He is the single-most important person in the New Testament of whom you have never heard.
There is an overarching theme to tonight’s discussion, born out of this story. One that relates directly to something that Jesus said.
You talk about Paint the picture, Rabbi. This story here in Acts 9 paints THIS amazing picture.
Jesus said, “But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.” That was in Matthew 19.
So important is this principle that Jesus repeated it in the very next chapter: “So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.”
Whatever did Jesus mean? More to the point: What does this look like? Paint the picture, Rabbi.
Fortunately for us, Jesus is about to paint this picture—as beautiful a picture as you’d ever want to see—courtesy of Saul here in Acts 9, as illustrated so wonderfully in the lives of two otherwise anonymous individuals.
Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. 9 He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink.
Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord!” he replied.
11 The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. 12 I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.”
13 “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! 14 And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.”
15 But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. 16 And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.”
17 So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. 19 Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength. (Acts 9:8-19)
You see, without an Ananias, there would not have been a Paul. Because of the humble and courageous obedience of Ananias and Judas, whose hospitality offered food and shelter to Paul as he enjoyed a crash course in seminary training from Jesus Himself, the gospel was taught in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria and to the ends of the earth, even into and beyond the 21st century!