9 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest ² and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. ³ As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. ⁴ He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”⁵ “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. ⁶ “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” ⁷ The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 

It is a one of a kind experience/encounter Saul had with Jesus. Imagine being visited while walking on the road of Damascus. It is a religious experience to cherish. It is like how most of us are, we had a religious experience that is to be envied. A wake up call from God that was literally supernatural.

⁸ Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing.So they led him by the hand into Damascus. ⁹ For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

The Saul who was killing Christians for breakfast is now blind. God wanted to use him for his purpose and glory. But how will God do that?

He calls a disciple to engage Saul with the gospel. He tells Ananias that he is the one to disciple Saul in the ways of the Lord. It was like giving a death sentence to Ananias and Ananias knew how dangerous this discipleship command was.

¹⁰ In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision,“Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. ¹¹ 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.

Just a sidenote on how specific God can be when instructing us to make disciples. He would eve give Ananias the address of Saul.

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.”

Even if it was dangerous, he did it anyway.

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.

Lord please give me someone I can disciple. And just like Ananias, no matter who that person is, give me the strength to disciple and build a relationship with that person in Jesus name Amen.