Bible Text: Acts 9:1—20 | Preacher: Rev. Jenn Geddes
There once was a little town on the east coast of Vancouver Island where fishing, mining and forestry were the major industries. Well, what the actual town website says is that it is “a little town snuggled in between a mountain range and the ocean…a town that was born on the hands of labourers.” Eventually, however, the fish started to deplete, the mines were no longer economical and the forestry industry began to decline. It looked like this little town would become like many former industry towns…rather ghostly. The direction, the way they were headed would mean closing up shop and people moving on. But this little town decided instead of giving up and packing up it needed to re-invent itself, it needed to change direction, and the chamber of commerce, with substantial help from one of local lumber barons, began to dream about revitalization. They envisioned giant outdoor murals. Why not? Victoria was the city of gardens, Duncan was the city of totems, the Comox Valley was the Land of plenty, why not be the town with world famous murals. Turns out that murals weren’t enough to turn things around so they decided to have a world class theatre. While the fishermen, miners and loggers still inhabit the area, this little town has gone through quite the conversion, much of it’s identity has changed. Which is rather interesting since in the Hulquminum language, the aboriginal group who call this area home, the word Chemainus or Tsa-meeun-is, means bitter breast and is a possible reference to transformation marks that take place during a shamanic frenzy, which the horseshoe shaped bay where Chemainus sits is thought to resemble.
Today we heard one of the greatest transformation and conversion stories in the entire Scriptures. It should be important for us to recognize that this is more than just a conversion but also a calling story. Saul’s experience on the road changes so much from his vocation to his name, all of which represent a change in identity. The first time we encounter Saul in Scripture is actually a few chapters earlier than this morning’s passage. Luke, (as mentioned is the author of Acts) states that it is Saul who approved the killing of Stephen, one of the first martyrs of the faith. We then hear that a day of severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem. Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house; dragging off both men and women, to commit them to prison (Acts 8:1-3). We know the plot, we know what is going to happen to Saul, but what we often forget is just how devastating Saul’s actions were to the early church. It makes the conversion all that much more intense and dramatic. The story of Saul reminds me that no matter how set in our ways we may seem, God is always willing to shape us and change us. Essentially, there is always hope and room to improve.
When we encounter Saul in our reading this morning he is still causing a raucous- threatening murder against the followers of Jesus. You might have caught something in the reading that Sheila gave. These followers are not called Christians but rather people who belonged to The Way. It will not be for a little while yet, when the disciples and followers have been worshipping in Antioch for a year, that the term Christian will first be used. Interesting that Saul has his transformation while on the road about to arrest followers of The Way. This is a great image for both Saul and the narrative but also for Christians. New Testament professor, Eric Barreto states, ““The Way” is a powerful metaphor for Christian identity. Instead of being identified by a set of beliefs, these early faithful communities were known by their character in the world. Christian faith was a way of life and one that impelled individuals and communities to leave the safe confines of home and synagogue to walk on the road God had set out. “The Way” suggests that faith is a living, active way of life.” And as Saul teaches us sometimes The Way involves u-turns and roundabouts and even collisions.
Saul is heading to Damascus with letters approved by the High Priest in Jerusalem allowing him to arrest and drag these followers bound back to Jerusalem. As the crow flies the distance is 218km. But if we were to take this journey today, according to google maps it would take us 2, 644 km and 41hrs by car. It would involve going in the opposite direction to Egypt, crossing a ferry into Saudi Arabia, crossing the border in Iraq and then into Syria. Damascus is the capital of Syria and certainly as the Civil War continues it is in desperate need of prayer. In fact, I would argue, there are many who could benefit from a “Road To Damascus” style transformation. In fact, just last week 30 people, including 12 children, were killed during an air-strike attack in a suburb of Damascus. It is a city where indeed many people are fleeing in the hopes to find a new direction, a new place to call home.
Now sure, we are talking about modern times and certainly the political and cultural landscapes were quite different for Saul. But still for Saul, who walked or rode an animal, this was not a short trek. He has likely travelled most of those km brooding and plotting the entire about getting those followers of The Way. Then perhaps in the last 5km, a light from heaven flashes around him and as he falls to the ground to protect himself he hears the voice of Christ, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” Jesus does not ask, why are you persecuting my followers? Why are you persecuting my disciples? Why are you persecuting people of The Way? Jesus asks why are persecuting me? What this tells me is that whenever a person who follows Christ is abused, martyred, criticized, Jesus is present in that very moment. Jesus is true to his word that he is with the oppressed, the marginalized, the refugees, the downtrodden, the rejected, for whatever we say or do to any of the least of them we are saying and doing it to Christ himself. Jesus then gives Saul a directive- get up and go into the city and there you will find further instructions. The story then switches to Ananias, who is a disciple of The Way.
I can appreciate Ananias’ response to God’s request. God not only asks Ananias to assist Saul but to go and heal Saul. But Ananias knows the name Saul of Tarsus, he knows that Saul has come to town to arrest people like him. Ananias knows that Saul even has the authority to drag him back to Jerusalem. Just being next to Saul could mean death! So, of course Ananias is fearful about dropping in for a visit- his life is at stake. But I also imagine that Ananias doesn’t want to help Saul, after all Saul has killed, arrested, abused many of Ananias’ friends. Would you help, even heal someone, who had brutally murdered a fellow Christian? Would you heal their hurtedness? Would you give them a place to stay? I think as much as this is a conversion story for Saul it is also a conversion story for Ananias. He has to rid himself of fear about getting involved with this man, and be a true follower of The Way.
Thankfully God is unrelenting and tells Ananias just how vital Saul will be to the cause, “He is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before the Gentiles.” The Gospel story will not only include this former murderer of disciples but will also include the adoption of the entire human race. The Gospel message will be shared through Saul- whose conversion will necessitate the name change to Paul- and will expand to include all peoples.
Being followers of The Way means we are constantly being shaped by God, being transformed into the people God wishes us to be. Sometimes those transformations might include flashes of light and definitely fear and trepidation- maybe even tragedy. But most often than not they are a constant nudging telling us to get out of our comfort zone and help those in need- even if they are our enemies. We can likely identify with Ananias a little better- sometimes we don’t want to help those who are different from us and yet, we never know how our healing hands, kind actions or compassionate words, can be the life changing difference in someone’s life. Because if God can change us, then God can certainly change anyone. Amen