JESUS QUALIFIES THOSE WHOM HE CALLS

SCRIPTURE:

“The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” 13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”  15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”  17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.” (Acts 9:11—18)

OBSERVATION:

            Jesus got a hold of Paul’s life and called him into ministry.  However, many believers have heard of Paul’s reputation.  He has been brutal toward believers and harassed them at will.  But Jesus pursued him and changed him.  The Holy Spirit often works in ways we cannot see or understand.  When Paul was blinded by his conversion experience, Jesus assured him of his plans for his life. 

            Paul’s reputation of being a church persecutor preceded him wherever he went.  People are not perfect nor able to deal with the reputation that preceded them.  Sometimes our past becomes a challenge for future opportunities in fulfilling Jesus’ calling.  Ananias was fearful because of Paul’s reputation and his past.  But Jesus appeared to Ananias to assure him not to fear what he had heard but to prepare Paul for the calling ahead.

            How many times have people felt unworthy to serve the Lord because they felt their past disqualifies them from serving Jesus?  Jesus calls imperfect, unworthy, and unqualified to serve him.  Jesus perfected and qualified the most unfit to be a vessel that will declare his glory. 

            Ananias’ fears, like many believers, are understandable given that everyone at that time knew of Paul’s reputation that preceded him.   Ananias hesitated to help Paul.  But Jesus assured him of whom Paul would become.  When Jesus calls people, he does not look at who they are now but at whom they will become. 

            Jesus qualifies the unqualified, perfects the imperfect, and renews a sinful person for his purpose.   Jesus reveals to Ananias what Paul will become.  He said, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.  I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” 

            Jesus calls and chooses us to be instruments to proclaim his name.  Wherever Jesus calls us, suffering for his name is part of the calling.  Ananias gave Paul the assurance and the answer to his prayer that Jesus called him and wanted him to see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.  Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Jesus calls and fills us with His Holy Spirit, qualifies, and equips us for his purpose.  I need to learn not to see people whom Jesus has called through the lenses of their past lives but what they will become in Jesus. 

APPLICATION:

            I learned that only Jesus qualifies a person and calls them to his service.  I don’t have the power to disqualify someone whom Jesus has called to be his spokesman.  I, like Ananias, sometimes have reservations and hesitation because of people’s reputations that preceded them.  I need to listen more to the Holy Spirit to see Jesus’ plans for people rather than seeing them unfit to serve Jesus because of their past reputation.  Jesus sees people as not who they are now but whom they will become as he works in their lives.  I must have the eyes that Jesus has for people. 

PRAYER:

            Jesus, help me to see people as you do.  Sometimes, I have prejudiced and judgmental views and attitudes about certain people because of their past reputations.  Teach me to see people not as who they are now but whom they will become.  Help me trust your Holy Spirit’s work as he transforms lives and prepares them for your purpose.  Teach me to focus on your purpose for people’s lives rather than concluding what I think are your plans for their lives.  Teach me to be gracious and understanding and make ways for others to find their purpose and plans for their lives.  Amen!