"Brother, Saul!"

[From 4/4/09]

"So Ananaias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, 'Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me...'"

(Acts 9:17)

What happens when the church's "Enemy No.1" suddenly has a conversion experience and joins the Jesus Movement - a movement he'd previously been vehemently persecuting? Well, few people trust him, that's what! Seriously, it took Barnabus' intercession to get the apostles to welcome Saul - who went on to do amazing work in Damascus & Jerusalem for the Believers.

Of course we know now that Saul (Paul!) would become arguably the most influential person in the NT (next to the Trinity, of course!). But in the beginning, all he had was his persecuting reputation. Which makes it even more interesting when we look at Ananias' story. When Saul was blinded by God on the road to Damascus, God appeared to Ananias and instructed him to go and minister to Saul. Of course he was reluctant, but God assured him this was all part of God's divine plan. So Ananias went, bringing words of grace and healing. The rest is history, as they say.

But Ananias brought something else to Saul. Something quite possibly even more powerful than physical healing. He brought a sincere welcome. Despite Saul's reputation, Ananias trusted God's instructions implicitly, and greeted the former rogue as "Brother Saul." BROTHER SAUL! It's easy to overlook just how amazing that greeting actually is. Ananias called this one who had persecuted, arrested, imprisoned & even witnessed public executions of Christians, 'Brother!' Wow. What a welcome! What healing that one word must have brought.

Too often we think in terms of "us vs. them." Christians vs. Non-Christians. Our denomination vs. other denominations. Our theological slant vs. other theological slants. Our church vs. other churches. We're great at separating. Not so great at uniting. But we, as the church... as the Body of Christ... were created for UNITY, not segregation.

How can I be an ambassador of "Brotherhood" (and "sisterhood"!)? How can I extend the grace & welcome to people who traditionally don't expect to be welcomed? Ah, that's the "Jesus part," isn't it!?!?

PRAYER: Thank you for calling me into communion & community with Your children all over the world, Lord. Help me to extend the hand and heart of grace to all. AMEN.