So Ananias went and found the house, placed his hands on blind Saul, and said, "Brother Saul, the Master sent me, the same Jesus you saw on your way here. He sent me so you could see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
Acts 9 tells the story of
one of the church's greatest
enemies becoming one of its most passionate leaders. No one could have expected this complete turnaround to happen, especially not Saul of Tarsus. (Saul later becomes known as the apostle Paul, using his Roman name when his mission was primarily among Gentiles.) Emboldened by the Holy Spirit and seeing the evidence of the Spirit in Saul's life,
the early followers of Jesus overcame Satan's barriers to see grace triumph over their enemies. For Saul (Paul) to become a great leader in this movement of grace and good news, he had to be filled, inspired, and empowered by the Holy Spirit,
which is exactly what our verse today tells us was about to happen: Saul was about to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and the world would be changed by the Spirit's work through him!
Loving Father, I recognize the conquering mercies of your grace demonstrated for us at the cross. Thank you for showing your merciful power in reaching Saul, turning him around, and using him in the movement of your grace in ways that no one could have anticipated. Thank you, O God of grace and surprises. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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