One of the things I love about God’s Word is how often we encounter background characters of incredible significance.
Now, in the eyes of the world, they might not be significant. Perhaps most Christians don’t know about them. But as we read through the story of Scripture, we’re bound to encounter them on page after page.
One of my favorite examples comes in a man by the name of Ananias.
In Acts 9, the Lord appears to Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus as he is preparing to imprison Christians. It’s a story we all love as it points to the awesome power of God to save anyone. In fact, that was the focus of my writing earlier this week.
Yet, the story isn’t complete without an obedient, Christian servant to connect the dots.
We know very little about Ananias. In fact, his name only shows up on two occasions in Scripture, both times in the retelling of Saul’s conversion.
In Acts 22, Paul would later recount that Ananias was, “a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there” (Acts 22:12). In Acts 9, he is merely introduced as, “a disciple” (Acts 9:10). Amongst background characters in the Bible, he is one of the backgroundiest.
In fact, I did some searching on him in the resources I have within Logos Bible Software and all I came up with was one short, paragraph-long, writeup concerning him in the Lexham Bible Dictionary. Aside from that, my vast library of resources didn’t have anything.
He’s a nobody. At least, in the world’s eyes.
But like Saul, he was a chosen instrument in the sovereign purposes of God. Perhaps he wouldn’t be carrying the name of Jesus before Gentiles and kings, but he at the least carried the name of Jesus to one man—Saul.
The Lord calls to Ananias by name in a vision, and he responds simply, “Here I am, Lord” (Acts 9:10). Standing in the line of faithful believers from the past such as Abraham (Gen. 22:1), Jacob (Gen. 31:11), Moses (Ex. 3:4), and Isaiah (Is. 6:8) Ananias basically responds, “Lord, I’m at your service. What do you need?”
Ananias was first a man of readiness. When Jesus spoke, he answered.
But the command that was coming was something that Ananias wasn’t ready for,
“Saul of Tarsus has come to town, and I need you to go meet with him. Don’t worry, I let him know you’re coming.” (Acts 9:11-12, my paraphrase).
I can only imagine Ananias’ sudden quaking as he realized the task before him,
“Saul? Like the bad Saul? The one I’ve heard has come here to imprison and possibility have executed those who believe in you…like me? Yikes. Jesus, that Saul isn’t such a good idea. Are we sure there isn’t another Saul?”
Jesus responds,
“Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name” (Acts 9:15-16).
Ananias suddenly found himself in a difficult spot. He said he was at the Lord’s service, but then suddenly the Lord’s task was something that wasn’t too appealing. Nevertheless, the Scripture says in the very next verse, “So Ananias departed and entered the house” (Acts 9:17a). There was no further discussion. There was no further reasoning or questioning or any antics to get out of it on Ananias’ part. Rather there was simple faith-filled obedience.
If Jesus said that Saul is His chosen instrument, then he must be. It didn’t make sense. It seemed backwards. From all previous accounts it was dangerous—and he went anyway.
Coming upon him, Ananias called the persecutor a brother, accepting him just as Christ had, he prayed for him, and he baptized him (Acts 9:17-18).
Now, Ananias might not be known to many, but he was surely known to the apostle Paul. He was the one who in faith obeyed the Lord Jesus’ command. Even when the original apostles later doubted Saul’s conversion after he had been proclaiming Christ for a period of time, Ananias went to meet with him when there was no track record to calm his worries. He went simply on Jesus’ command.
We don’t know, at least according to Scripture, if Ananias ever did much else. On some websites I found there is actually a chapel located at what is purportedly his former home. Some say he later became a bishop. I don’t know. All I know is that when Jesus called, Ananias answered. He was there, he was ready, he was willing, and if his life was only for the purpose of praying for Saul, baptizing him, and getting him started on the Christian journey, I’d say his life was a grand success.
Truly, to some extent, the unimaginable fruit of Paul’s ministry is credited to Ananias’ account.
Perhaps our lives aren’t here to impact tens of thousands, thousands, or even hundreds.
Perhaps God has us on mission for the sake of a few, or even one.
Maybe a mother is simply tasked with the raising of a few children, but those children will go on to impact nations. Perhaps a manager will care for a coworker one day and lead them to Christ. Perhaps that coworker will end up devoting their life to pursuing biblical higher education and they will later teach future pastors whose messages will go on to impact congregations who will individually go on to impact countless other lives.
God works in amazing ways that we certainly can’t ever begin to fathom, and I dare say that if we’re obedient to what He tells us, then we’re a success—no matter what the outcome is no matter how numerous it is.
Here I am, Lord. I’m at your service. What do you need?
So encouraging! Thanks!🙏🏽