#DailyDevotion It's Not Always About You
#DailyDevotion It's Not Always About You Act 9:15-22 15“Go," the Lord told him, “he's an instrument I have chosen to bring My name before the Gentiles, before kings, and the people of Israel. 16I will show him how much he has to suffer for Me.” 17Ananias went. When he came into the house, he laid his hands on Saul. “Brother Saul,” he said, "the Lord sent me — Jesus, Whom you saw on your way here — so that you will see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he saw again. He got up and was baptized. 19Then he had something to eat and was strengthened. Saul (Paul] Preaches Jesus While Saul was with the disciples in Damascus several days, 20he immediately started to preach in the synagogues: “Jesus is God's Son.” 21All who heard him were amazed. “Isn't this the man,” they asked, “who in Jerusalem destroyed those who call on this name, and didn't he come here to bring them in chains to the ruling priests?" 22But Saul grew more and more powerful and bewildered the Jews living in Damascus by proving “He is the Christ.” God had a plan for Saul. While God does have a plan for your life, you shouldn’t be thinking He has some big plan for your life where you might be rich, famous or impact the world in some great big recognized way. That is not the point of this text. But yes, God does also have a plan for your life also. The Lord’s plan for Saul’s life was to be an evangelist, an apostle to the Gentiles, kings and to Israel for the name of Jesus. Saul had been zealous for the Law of Moses and the tradition of the elders, even willing to kill for that witness to them. Now Jesus will have him be willing to suffer and even die for his name. Jesus tells pastor Ananias, “I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” Now is Jesus being vindictive here? Well, no. Jesus says concerning all his disciples, Mat 10:38-39 “38If you don't take your cross and follow Me, you're not worthy of Me. 39If you find your life, you'll lose it, but if you lose your life for Me, you'll find it. Paul would find this out as we see when he writes, 2Co 1:5 “As Christ's sufferings overflow to us, so Christ makes our comfort overflow.” Paul no doubt was told what Jesus had told Ananias by Ananias. So no, Jesus was not being vindictive and Paul considered it an honor to suffer for the name of Jesus. Now Pastor Ananias did as Jesus commanded. He laid hands on Saul and healed him. He baptized Saul for the forgiveness of his sins. (Acts 22:16) Saul was reborn of the Holy Spirit, regenerated in baptism and became Paul. He would indeed be Jesus’ witness and proclaim Jesus is the Son of God. Having been trained in the Old Testament scriptures he preached from them how Jesus fulfilled the prophecies contained therein and was their Savior, Lord and King and that forgiveness of sins, life and salvation were found in Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified, buried, risen from the dead and sits at the right hand of God in power. This same Jesus calls you to be baptized for the forgiveness of sins and to receive the Holy Spirit. As His disciple you also will suffer for His name sake but you will also receive with Christ eternal life and share in His glory. Merciful Lord Jesus Christ, even as You called Your servant Saul to be baptized for the forgiveness of sins, be a witness of your life and suffer for Your name’s sake. Continually give us pastors who will feed us with Your Word, bestow upon us Your sacraments, and preserve us in faith through all suffering, even death, that we may attain to the resurrection of the righteous on the day of Your return. In Your precious name we pray. Amen. Read the full article
