Acts 9: Jesus, the Great Optimist
Acts 9: 1-19 (ESV) — The Conversion of Saul
In this account of Sauls conversion in the book of Acts chapter 9, we see that Saul was somebody who literally persecuted the church. In Acts 8:3 it says "but Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and woman and committed them to prison"
So before Jesus came to Saul he was somebody that was totally against discipleship. He persecuted the church, he persecuted Jesus's ministry and he persecuted people, men and women who were seeking to live like Jesus. And this is until Jesus encountered him in a very real way. Acts chapter 9 Saul:
“…still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem”
Acts 9:1-2
So it wasn't enough for him to just go from Point A to Point B. He opposed the church so much so, that even on his way from Point A to Point B if he encountered anybody who belong to what he called "the way", he wanted to be able to get them then and there and bring them bounded. And what's really amazing to me that I noticed within this section of scripture is the way that Jesus still sees worth of us, the way that Jesus was able to still want business with somebody like Saul, someone who persecuted him, murdered his followers, and disrespected the church.
That's where this word "but" it's so important. Grammatically as humans we tend to use the word "but" to signify some sort of negative contrast. You can think about it yourself right now. Think about a sentence what do you normally expect when someone says something but then says “but”?
The definition of "but" is used to introduce a phrase or clause contrasting with what has already been mentioned. some synonyms are:
yet
nevertheless
nonetheless
even so
however
still
despite that
just the same
I think in my experience, many times that I hear the word “but” used the phrase words that come after are negative in relation to what was said before. When it comes to Jesus though, he is the great optimist, he didn't use the word but to signify something bad was next, but that there was still a hope and use for a man like Saul. The use of the word "but" in a sentence in relation to what comes after it, stands out to me when we compare how a human uses it in a sentence vs. how the voice of God does.
While Saul was on his way and approached Damascus, a light from heaven shined upon him and a voice says to him, "“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”
Here we see Jesus acknowledging the fact that Saul is someone who persecuted Him, but he still has business with him. After this word, when Jesus uses it the first time here he offers Saul an invitation to be used and be a receiver of instruction.
Now, we can contrast this from when we see human Ananias' interaction with the Lord.
10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.”
Here Ananias' use of the word "but" is followed by a whole bunch of doubt, a whole bunch of objection, and it's almost as if he's asking the Lord, "do you know what kind of man Saul is?"
But again the Lord shows us that he is the great optimist in the world of great contrasts.
15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.
What can we take away from this?
Sometimes we can be like Ananias, sometimes we can perceive a person or a situation with our own eyes, in a negative light and perspective, and when God calls us to interact or move in a way toward this person or situation we may be full of doubt, objection and be left wondering if God understands what he's asking or calling us do to. But we shouldn't be this way because God is the know all and be all. God is always working behind the scenes. We must be mindful of our obedience to God even when what He is asking to us, doesn't make logical sense, for if we don't we risk someone else's salvation and the benefit they may prove for God's Kingdom. In being disciples of Jesus, we must also imitate his optimism, not contrasting ideas, thoughts and scenarios with negativity, but with positivity.
Saul persecuted Jesus, but voice of Jesus still told him to RISE and ENTER the city to be told what to do, he gave him purpose.
Ananias was given instruction from God, but decided instead to complain and doubt the person who the Lord instructed him to find and save.
The Lord heard Ananias' complaints, but insisted that he was a chosen instrument of His.
Who will you imitate?