Obedience is not Complicated
**Acts 9:10-19**: There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, saying, “Ananias.” He replied, “Here I am, Lord.” The Lord instructed him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas, look for a man from Tarsus named Saul. For behold, he is praying, and 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.”
Ananias responded, “Lord, I have heard about this man and the evil he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. He has authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on Your Name.” But the Lord assured him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine to carry My Name before the Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for My Name’s sake.”
Ananias left and went into the house. Laying his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he arose, was baptized, and after taking food, he was strengthened.
I really admire Ananias. He was an ordinary Christian who briefly stepped into the spotlight. Imagine him going about his daily life, concerned because he had heard that Saul was coming to town to arrest Christians. Then God told him to visit Saul and pray the prayer of faith over him to be healed.
It must have felt like being instructed to go lay hands on a hungry lion. Ananias was understandably surprised and expressed his concerns: “Lord, I have heard about this man and the evil he has done. Are You sure You have the right person? Are You sure You want to send me?” But God confirmed His plan: “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine… I will show him how much he must suffer for My Name’s sake.” With that, Ananias stopped arguing. He got up, followed the address God provided, and found Saul there. Without hesitation, he laid his hands on Saul and even called him “brother.” As a result of Ananias’s obedience, God immediately healed Saul’s blindness. Ananias had a small role but look at the significant difference his obedience made! He acted when it mattered—no doubt afraid, but still willing to follow through. God blessed his act of faith.
Very few of us will ever be famous—certainly not as renowned as Saul, who later became the apostle Paul. Most of us are like Ananias, and that’s perfectly okay. Whether known or unknown, all Christians enjoy the real, everlasting life that Jesus secured for us through His suffering, death, and resurrection. Our focus is on Jesus. He is the One we love, and His opinion of us is what really matters. It’s a wonderful honor to serve Him, whether in a big way or a small way.
As the great prophet Samuel said to the disobedient King Saul, “Obedience is better than sacrifice,” meaning that obeying the Lord is more important than offering sacrifices to Him or just being religious (I Samuel 15:22).
A person’s love for Christ is demonstrated through their obedience.
Dr. Robert Bryant