But Why?

 Ananias is one of my favorite characters in the Bible. More one of my favorite minor characters, I'd probably give Jesus the number one overall award, but Ananias always strikes me as such an incredible example of discipleship.

10 In Damascus there was a certain disciple named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

He answered, “Yes, Lord.”

11 The Lord instructed him, “Go to Judas’ house on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias enter and put his hands on him to restore his sight.”

13 Ananias countered, “Lord, I have heard many reports about this man. People say he has done horrible things to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 He’s here with authority from the chief priests to arrest everyone who calls on your name.”

15 The Lord replied, “Go! This man is the agent I have chosen to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and Israelites. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”

17 Ananias went to the house. He placed his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord sent me—Jesus, who appeared to you on the way as you were coming here. He sent me so that you could see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Instantly, flakes fell from Saul’s eyes and he could see again. He got up and was baptized. 19 After eating, he regained his strength. He stayed with the disciples in Damascus for several days.

He was sitting there, minding his own business, when God told him to go pay a visit to a man who almost certainly wanted to kill him. A man who was "spewing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples". Remember, Saul was a pretty bad dude, and Ananias was pretty much the exact person that Saul was looking to kill. 

I'll jump to the end and mention that I love how Ananias showed faith in people's ability to change (or be changed). That him going out and meeting with Saul was a singular act of discipleship that we need to continue to emulate. That he lived out his faith.

But I want to talk for a minute about his first response. Because when God asked him to visit Saul his response was not an immediate "yes, boss". Indeed, his first response was to say to God "are you sure about that?" This is the kind of discipleship that I love. I love the pause, the question, the doubt. I love that Ananias took a moment to make sure that this was really what God wanted.

True discipleship asks questions, True discipleship is one that double checks. Clarity of purpose is certainly a good thing, but unquestioned certainty is an unhealthy way of living. Unquestioned certainty leads to arrogance, condescendence, thoughtlessness, and hurt. Certainty leads to people seeking power over others because they know what's best. Certainty breeds systems in which others are made less because of the unquestioned righteousness of those on top.

Certainty is pure hubris. 

But questions lead to true clarity. Doubts test our thoughts against reality. Uncertainty leads to collaboration. These things then lead to a certainty that comes through a community of perspectives. It leads to a clarity of not just the what but also the why. And in this way we can move forward with certainty.

Ananias was not sure God was telling him the right thing. "That Saul? Not a good idea, God. Maybe there's somewhere else I could go?" But God affirmed what God wanted. Not with anger, but with explanation. God told Ananias the why as well as the what, and in finding this clarity through his doubts, Ananias was able to enter a dangerous situation confidently. 

Peace,

Jeff Fox-Kline

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