The least likely

Acts 9:1-22

           It is my fervent desire that everyone know how much God loves them. Through this blog and in preaching, I have always tried to convey just how unique each and every one of us are and how God made each one of us purpose built. God loves each of us with such devotion and care. Each hair on our head is numbered as scripture says. This mission is one that I am willing do for the rest of my life even if only one person comes to this realization.

          The thing is though, so many people have been convinced through others, by the church itself or by some of their very own actions, that they are not worthy. Truth be told, we are capable of so many stupid actions if not down right vicious lies and acts of deceit. So the question arises, does God love these people too? Are these people with poor self images and/or feelings of profound guilt ( whether earned or not) capable or even welcome to God's limitless love?

       This passage has a great deal to say about it so if you you have ears to listen, listen up! Look at Paul, the biggest persecutor and killer of Christians. His reputation preceded him. And yet, God chose him to be one of the biggest disciples. How loved is he? And after what he did too. Amazing. If this passage tells me anything it reaffirms how much God loves everyone and calls whomever he wishes.  Don't get me wrong, there were plenty of Christians and many Apostles who were more than just a bit wary of Paul. How convenient that the man who persecuted the Christians is now claiming to be one of them.  Paul had a great many hurdles to overcome in the Christian community. But Paul prevainled. That is, God prevailed.

        Paul goes down in history as one of the greatest conversions ever. This was simply not just his own doing. It was not just a decision he came to on his own. God chose him, God revealed himself to Paul.  Paul goes down in history as one of the greatest disciples who proclaimed  the Good News far and wide which included the gentiles. Where would we (gentiles) be had it not been for God embracing the least likely to be embraced.  Of course when I say 'least likely', that is a human term, a human judgement.

         If we read this passage and live our lives with open hearts, open minds and open ears, we may come to know what I want everyone to know deep in every fiber f their being. That is just how much God loves you no matter who you are by human standards or judgement. God created us all, God calls us all. 

        You are worthy, you are loved.

Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 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. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ He asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The reply came, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.’ The men who were travelling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, ‘Ananias.’ He answered, ‘Here I am, Lord.’ 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, 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.’ But Ananias answered, ‘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.’ 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; I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.’ So Ananias went and entered the house. 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.’ And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ‘He is the Son of God.’ All who heard him were amazed and said, ‘Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem among those who invoked this name? And has he not come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?’ Saul became increasingly more powerful and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Messiah.