May 11th

Easter 4: May 11, 2025

Rev. Heather Carlson

St. John’s Presbyterian Church, Medicine Hat, AB

 

Acts 9:1-20 (NRSV)

Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. 8 Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing;[a] so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 For three days he was without sight and neither ate nor drank. 10 Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision[b] a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem, 14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; 16 I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul[c] 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.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, 20 and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”

 

Sermon

Luke, writing the book of Acts, tells us Paul is on his way to the city of Damascus. One of the few cities that archeologists tell us has had continuous inhabitants for over 8000 years up to today. It had some prominence in the first century Mediterranean world.

-          capital of Syria in the eastern portion of the Roman Empire

-          40 hours by horse from Jerusalem. Intentional destination, don’t just “pop” by

-          crossroads of all the major trade routes. The north–south route connecting Egypt with Asia Minor, and the east–west cross-desert route connecting Lebanon with the Euphrates river valley

-          sheltered by the mountain range to the west

-          constructed canals and tunnels to maximize the efficiency of the river Barada to provide plentiful supply of water despite long, dry, hot summers. 

-          over 100,000 people, estimated 10% Jewish

-          Abraham and Sarah there on the way to the Promised Land

 

It’s hard to downplay this passage from Acts; the sheer significance of Saul the persecutor of the church who takes a 180 degree turn and becomes Paul - messenger to the Gentiles and author of a significant portion of the New Testament letters. Like the pivotal moment when Mary says “yes” to bearing the Son of God, so too, Paul’s conversion is a pivotal moment that impacts his own life and the whole course of Christian history and theology.

 

There is so much richness to explore in Saul’s experience, but I found myself drawn in this passage to the figure of Ananias. This is the only place we meet him in the scriptures. We don’t know how he became a follower of Jesus or what he did after this meeting, but we do know that he played a key role in this pivotal moment. 

 

While living in Fort McMurray we got to know a family from church who had moved to the area to work in construction. Operating cranes requires a quite specific skill set, and the husband had been recruited for his experience and expertise. Having had little to do with the construction industry myself, and having never been a fan of heights, I asked what it was like to operate a crane. I remember his concise answer. “It is hours and hours of absolute boredom interrupted by a few moments of sheer terror.” The life of a crane operator is quietly keeping skills practiced and primed, and then for that one moment, the whole construction project and countless lives are in their hands while they skillfully lift and position the enormous load.

 

I wonder if that is how Ananias felt being sent by the Lord to greet Saul and enable him to receive his sight. He had experience and expertise that made up the regular rhythms of a quiet life as a follower of Jesus, and then when so much hangs in the balance, he is ready to play his part. New Testament Scholar NT Wright says this momentary glimpse of our brother in the faith Ananias tells us “that he was a believer, that he knew how to listen for the voice of Jesus, that he was prepared to obey it even though it seemed ridiculously dangerous, that he went where he was sent and did what he was told. And he did it with love and grace and wisdom.” (NT for Everyone, 1840)

 

That is a solid, deeply compelling description of a life well lived. A faith filled follower that knew how to listen for the voice of Jesus, and committed to obey even in a perilous situation, and carried out his part with a Holy Spirit shaped character of love, grace and wisdom.

 

Ananias had learned to listen for Jesus.  Ananias recognizes Christ in his vision and responds, “yes, Lord.” Contrast that with Saul’s response: “who are you?” Recognizing the voice and vision of Jesus isn’t obvious. The Easter resurrection stories each portray a learning.

-          Mary Magdalene doesn’t recognize Jesus mistaking him for a gardener until she hears her name

-          The disciples behind locked doors are terrified by the appearance of Jesus in their midst.

-          Peter doesn’t recognize the stranger on the beach until a catch of fish so large it threatens to capsize the boat lets him see the friendly stranger is Jesus

-          Thomas is confused by Jesus presence so Jesus offers the scars in his hands and side as evidence it is really him

-          The couple on the road to Emmaus talk scripture and theology for quite some time, but only match their companion with Jesus when they see him break bread.

-          Many tourists of Jerusalem assume Jesus followers are drunk until Peter explains they are filled with the Spirit of God

Recognizing Jesus isn’t innate. For reasons we may or may not understand, God’s voice is not usually blatantly obvious. But it is discernible. Learning to listen to Jesus isn’t something only rockstars of the faith do or can do. Jesus says that “my sheep know my voice.”

 

This was not part of my early faith training or experience. I learned to pray using my own words. I learned to read the Bible. I learned to sing hymns and listen to sermons. But when people talked about hearing God I was both skeptical and curious. How do you know it’s not just voices in your own head? And do you hear in your ears, heart, head, like words or feelings, or what? Not until a little over 10 years ago when I was taught that Jesus wanted his followers to recognize his voice did I take learning to listen seriously.

 

Since that time I’ve had solid teaching, rich mentors and the opportunity to teach and mentor many others. And over this time I’ve discovered that I wasn’t the only one who had not learned to listen for Jesus. I had been unaware of the rich Christian tradition of guidance and warnings that help Christians learn to listen with humility, love, grace and wisdom.

 

Ananias had learned to recognize Jesus - Luke says, as in a vision - he identified the voice that spoke his name. Jesus tells Ananias to “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment 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.”

 

Whether Ananias received such direction slowly or all at once I resonate with the response he gives which goes something like this: BTW Jesus, I just want to be sure that you know what you are talking about because the guy you want me to go see… yah, he’s here intending to arrest, jail, and maybe even execute those who follow you. So… you might want a chance for takesy backsies.

 

Learning to listen involves learning the ways of confirmation as well, and the possibility that you heard incorrectly or incompletely. And with a direction like what Ananias gets there is a reason to double check!

 

When the message is confirmed, Ananias obeys… even though it’s difficult. Ananias hadn’t just been training in listening, but also in joyful obedience.

 

I’ve added that word in there personally in my learning to trust God. As cliche as it might sound, one reason I was resistant to listening to God was that I was sure God would send me somewhere far away without indoor plumbing. It would be more than I could handle; hard, dangerous, just too much. If I didn’t listen, I wouldn’t hear something I didn’t want to do.

 

 I had to confront my distrust of God. I’d picked up a demanding, distant God who wouldn’t have been wise to obey. When I worked on learning God’s character, I was freed to learn to trust God. And then I could be willing to listen and joyfully obey.   

 

When I teach the meaning of “Lord” I often say it means we don’t treat God as an option at a buffet. Let’s see, my parents want this, my teachers want this, my spouse wants this, my bank account wants this, God wants this… so which one will I pick. How will I take a little flavour from each to make something pleasing to myself? The obedience of Ananias shows us a different way. Lord, means seeking first the kingdom of God and trusting the good shepherd to provide all that is needed. So even when we do not understand, we are willing to follow.

 

God provides what Ananias needs: confirmation of what to do, when to do it, and how. And Ananias responds with love, grace, and wisdom. “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.”

 

Brother - loving those God gives us.

Healing - giving what he had to give to Saul in need

Holy Spirit - confirmation that God will dwell in his people.

 

This is where Ananias’ witness gives off the fragrance of gospel. Like God at work in his people doing more than we could ever ask or imagine. Before the miracle of Saul’s sight restored. Before the evidence of Saul’s conversion. Before the mighty preaching of Paul there is the miracle in Ananias. A quiet, trusting, gentle, loving enactment of God at work in the world. Ananias probably died before Paul’s letters were circulated or Luke wrote his accounts. He may never have known the impact of his “yes.” There was no book deal or movie release. He didn’t get a recognition prize for a mansion or trip to the tropics.

 

We may not all be called to confront persecutors or travel to distant streets, but we are all called to listen. To be available. To say “yes” to Jesus even when it feels risky or unclear. And like Ananias, we’re invited to do it with love, grace, and wisdom—trusting that God will provide what we need when we say yes.

 

May you practice the stillness and courage needed to listen well. And may your “yes” to Jesus, even in quiet unseen ways, become part of God’s transforming work in the world.

May we learn to listen like that— with hearts tuned to God’s whisper, with hands ready to bless, and with courage to go where love leads.

For even one quiet yes can open the eyes of the world. Thanks be to God.