We are to fully align ourselves with Jesus and His instructions!
Luke wrote by The Holy Spirit in Acts chapter 9:
10 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.”
11 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.
12 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.”
Jesus already knew that Ananias was reliable and would respond positively to the directive. How did Ananias respond? “Here I am, Lord.”
[13] Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.
14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your Name.”
15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My Name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.
16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My Name’s sake.”
17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, Who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.“
18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.
19 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.
Paul responded in the same manner when he responded to Jesus in the earlier verse:
6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then Jesus said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
Each of us has a unique calling and that calling might place us in the presence of influential people. Paul was called to minister to his prior enemies, the Gentiles. Can you imagine how he had to process such a calling? He was to go before kings as well. What were the three priorities?
Priority #1: The Gentiles
Priority #2: Represent Jesus to the Kings
Priority #3 The children of Israel
What an important calling! Paul would need a confirmation as you or I would as well. This is why Jesus sent Ananias as the second witness. Paul had no idea who Ananias was, which assured him that this was a genuine confirmation.
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Romans chapter 1:
13 So, my dear brothers and sisters, please don’t interpret my failure to visit you as indifference, because many times I’ve intended to come but have not been released to do so up to now. For I long to enjoy a harvest of Spiritual fruit among you, like I have experienced among the nations.
14 Love obligates me to preach to everyone, to those who are among the elite and those who are among the outcasts, to those who are wise and educated as well as to those who are foolish and unlearned.
15 This is why I am so excited about coming to preach the wonderful message of Jesus to you in Rome!
16 I refuse to be ashamed of the wonderful message of God’s liberating power unleashed in us through Christ! For I am thrilled to preach that everyone who believes is saved—the Jew first, and then people everywhere!
17 This Gospel unveils a continual revelation of God’s righteousness—a perfect righteousness given to us when we believe. And it moves us from receiving Life through faith, to the power of living by faith. This is what the Scripture means when it says: “We are right with God through life-giving faith!”
Do not be surprised if Jesus calls you to a greater ministry than you currently have. Will you respond, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”