“So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.””
Acts 9:17 (NLT)
In Acts 9, Ananias has to wrestle in real time with what the Lord is asking. Saul isn’t just a rough personality—he’s the man believers should be hiding from. And yet Jesus says, “Go.” Saul is his chosen instrument, chosen to carry the message to the Gentiles, to kings, and even to the Jews who should have received the gift, but chose not to. God is bold enough to choose a murderer, and gracious enough to say, “I’ll deal with him.” Saul’s suffering won’t be punishment—it will be the cost of being a chosen instrument and carrying Jesus’ name where it will be resisted.
So Ananias stops arguing and obeys. He goes, lays hands on Saul, and speaks an “also”—a more-than-enough word: I’m here to help you regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. That second part isn’t spelled out in the red letters right before this, but it’s implied if you understand the assignment. Saul can’t witness to the nations in his own strength. Acts 1:8 is still true—there’s no power to witness until Holy Spirit comes upon us.
What gets me is that Ananias calls him “Brother Saul.” I don’t talk like that to a persecutor unless I believe something has already changed. Ananias knows Saul has been praying to Jesus and seeing visions from the Lord. He’s able to call his former enemy family because he trusts Jesus has already saved Saul, even before Saul has proven anything outwardly.
And instantly Saul is healed—scales fall, sight returns. But the deeper miracle is that he can see spiritually now, filled with the Spirit and given what he’ll need for the ministry ahead. Saul’s rescue story comes in three clear movements: he meets Jesus, he’s filled with the Holy Spirit, and he’s baptized in water. I’m thankful today for obedient people like Ananias, and I’m asking God to make me the same—quick to obey, willing to bless, and dependent on Holy Spirit instead of my own strength.