Ananias (1)—“A Certain Disciple” - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2024

Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord." So the Lord said to him, "Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight."
Acts 9:10-12

Ananias (1)—"A Certain Disciple"
Ananias is here introduced to us as "a certain disciple." What a lovely title! He is not called an apostle, nor a prophet, nor a deacon, nor an elder, nor a bishop, nor an evangelist, nor a pastor, nor a teacher. Whatever his gift or his position in the assembly at Damascus may have been is of no consequence. The Lord was not sending him to carry out any official function. He is "a certain disciple," a follower of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Years later, Paul, standing on the stairs going up to the Roman barracks in Jerusalem, just outside of the temple, is giving his testimony to an angry mob of Jews who had just attempted to kill him. Speaking of Ananias, he mentions him as "a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there" at Damascus. Again no title is given, but we hear a commendation of the life of this man who was respected by all his fellow Jews there where he lived.

This disciple the Lord wanted to use. To him He appeared in a vision, calling His follower by name. He knows each one of His own, His sheep, by name, He tells us. Do we belong to Him? Are we aware when He is wanting our attention? Do we like Ananias answer, "Here I am, Lord"? We do not need to be gifted to be obedient. "If you love Me, keep My commandments," He tells us (Jn. 14:15). If we belong to Him, love Him, want to please Him, He will be sure to have something for us to do for Him.

Eugene P. Vedder, Jr.