“And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him. And he said, The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’
“When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance and saw him saying to me, Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’ And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’ And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”
Comment: The devout Jew Ananias, directly commanded by God sought Paul out and gave him the commission to be the bearer of Jesus’ gospel to the Gentiles. Not surprisingly the Jews, after Paul had returned to Jerusalem, planned to do away with this previously staunch, but now turncoat, Pharisee who had become a mouth-piece for Jesus. Paul seems to wave a red rag before the Jews as he highlights the murder of Stephen, the first Martyr, and declare his part in that murderous act. He ends by announcing the words of Jesus commission to him – ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’
Prayer: Keep me faithful always to what You lay on my shoulders, Master.
As I read it! 