Paul and Ananias: A New Reality

Texts: 

Psalm 69:1-5, 30-36

Exodus 30:22-38

Acts 22:2-16

"Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"

Struck blind in the middle of the road in order that he might see, Saul's story is magnificent.  His writings comprise 7 undisputed letters in the New Testament (Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, 1 Thessalonians, Galatians, Philippians, and Philemon), with 6 others having disputed authorship (meaning scholars do not agree, based on writing style and a host of other factors that the letters were actually scripted by Paul... these include 2 Corinthians, Ephesians, Colossians, 1 &2 Timothy, and Titus).  Regardless, his letters have shaped the way Christianity was viewed in the early church and even to this day.

Despite all his influence, and despite the bells and whistles of his conversion story, the person about whom I am curious in this interaction is Ananias.  A fuller version of Ananias' version can be found in Acts 9.  Saul's reputation for persecuting followers of the Way preceded him: "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name," (Acts 9:13-14).  Three verses later, "He laid his hands on Saul, and said, 'Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit,'" (Acts 9:17).  Nothing besides an indication that Saul will be an instrument for the sake of the Gospel guides Ananias, and yet, from fear that Saul is his enemy to referring to Saul as "brother," is a big shift.  Though this address is not uncommon within the New Testament, it is intriguing how this familial term unites seemingly disparate groups.  

I think that, for me, the significance of this story happens not necesarily in Saul's transforming moment (I think it would be pretty hard to ignore blindness and the voice of God), but in the transformation of Ananias.  I think the Gospel comes to life in the transformation of seemingly disparate groups of people, forging relationship in the face of persecution and commonality in the midst of diversity.  It is here that strangers become family despite all odds, transforming both parties in order that they may see a new reality.