Page:An Exposition of the Old and New Testament (1828) vol 6.djvu/98

92 heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 14. And here he hath authority from the Chief Priests to bind all that call on thy name. 15. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16. For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. 17. And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 18. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. 19. And when he had received meat he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. 20. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. 21. But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the Chief Priests? 22. But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

As for God, his work is perfect; if he begin, he will make an end; a good work was begun in Saul, when he was brought to Christ's feet, in that word, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And never did Christ leave any that were brought to that. Though Saul was sadly mortified when he lay three days blind, yet he was not abandoned; Christ here takes care of the work of his own hands; he that hath torn, will heal; that hath smitten, will bind up; that hath convinced, will comfort.

I. Ananias is here ordered to go and look after him, to heal and help him; for he that causeth grief, will have compassion.

1. The person employed is Ananias, a certain disciple at Damascus, not lately driven thither from Jerusalem, but a native of Damascus; for it is said, (ch. 22. 12.) that he had a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, as a devout man according to the law; he had lately embraced the gospel, and given up his name to Christ, and, as it should seem, officiated as a minister, at least pro hac vice—on this occasion, though it does not appear he was apostolically ordained. But why were not some of the apostles from Jerusalem sent for upon this great occasion, or Philip the evangelist, who had lately baptized the eunuch, and might have been fetched hither by the Spirit in a little time? Surely, because Christ would employ variety of hands in eminent services, that the honours might not be monopolized, or engrossed by a few; because he would put work into the hands, and thereby put honour upon the heads, of those that were mean and obscure, to encourage them; and because he would direct us to make much of the ministers that are where our lot is cast, if they have obtained mercy to be faithful, though they are not of the most eminent.

2. The direction given him, is, to go and inquire at such a house, probably an inn, for one Saul of Tarsus. Christ, in a vision, called to Ananias by name, v. 10. It is likely, it was not the first time that he had heard the words of God, and seen the visions of the Almighty; for, without terror or confusion, he readily answers, "Behold, I am here, Lord, ready to go wherever thou sendest me, and to do whatever thou biddest me." Go then, saith Christ, into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas, where strangers used to lodge, for one called Saul of Tarsus. Note, Christ very well knows where to find out those that are his, in their distresses: when their relations, it may be, know not what is become of them, they have a friend in heaven, that knows in what street, in what house, nay, and which is more, in what frame, they are: he knows their souls in adversity.

3. Two reasons are given him why he must go and inquire for this stranger, and offer him his service:

(1.) Because he prays, and his coming to him must answer his prayer. This is a reason, [1.] Why Ananias needed not to be afraid of him, as we find he was, v. 13, 14. There is no question, saith Christ, but he is a true convert, ''for behold, he prayeth. Behold'', notes the certainty of it; "Assure thyself it is so; go, and see." Christ was so pleased to find Paul praying, that he must have others to take notice of it?it! - as in 1811 London edition [sic] Rejoice with me, for I have found the sheep which I had lost. It notes also the strangeness of it; "Behold, and wonder, that he who but the other day breathed nothing but threatenings and slaughter, now breathes nothing but prayer." But was it such a strange thing for Saul to pray? Was he not a Pharisee, and have we not reason to think he did, as the rest of them did, make long prayers in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets? Yes; but now he began to pray after another manner than he had done; then he said his prayers, now he prayed them. Note, Regenerating grace evermore sets people on praying; you may as well find a living man without breath as a living christian without prayer; if breathless, lifeless; and so if prayerless, graceless. [2.] As a reason why Ananias must go to him with all speed; it is no time to linger, for behold, he prayeth: if the child cry, the tender nurse hastens to it with the breast. Saul here, like Ephraim, is bemoaning himself, reproaching himself, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke, and kicking agaigst the goad. "Oh! go to him quickly, and tell him he is a dear son, a pleasant child, and since I spake against him, for persecuting me, I do earnestly remember him still," Jer. 31. 18—20. Observe what condition Saul was now in. He was under conviction of sin, trembling, and astonished; the setting of sin in order before us should drive us to prayer. He was under a bodily affliction, blind and sick; and, ''Is any afflicted? Let him pray''. Christ had promised him, that it should be further told him what he should do, (v. 6.) and he prays that one may be sent to him to instruct him. Note, What God has promised, we must pray for; he will for this be inquired of, and particularly for divine instruction.

(2.) Because he hath seen in a vision such a man coming to him, to restore him to his sight; and Ananias's coming to him must answer his dream, for it was of God, v. 12. He hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias, and just such a man as thou art, coming in seasonably for his relief, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Now this vision which Paul had, may be considered, [1.] As an immediate answer to his prayer, and the keeping up of that communion with God, which he