Sermon for May 1st, 2016

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Acts 9:1-19

1Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. 8Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

10Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.” 11The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, 12and 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.” 13But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; 14and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name.” 15But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; 16I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17So Ananias 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 so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, 19and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

First Church: An Instrument Whom I Have Chosen

Today's scripture reading is about the conversion of Saul. I'm reminded of the story about the Catholic Priest, the Baptist Preacher, and the Jewish Rabbi, who were all discussing the topic of religious conversion one day over coffee. They agreed that it was far too easy to convert a person to a new religion. A real challenge would be to convert a a grizzly bear. One thing led to another and they decided to test their theory. Each one would go out into the woods, find a bear, and attempt to convert it.

Seven days later, they came together again. The Catholic Priest was a bit scratched up, but happy with his efforts. "When I found my grizzly bear, I began to read to him from the Catechism. He slapped me around a bit, but then I quickly grabbed my holy water, sprinkled him and he became as gentle a lamb. The bishop is coming out next week to give him first communion and confirmation.”

The Baptist preacher spoke next. He was on crutches, with a bandage around his head, but also looked happy with his efforts. "WELL my brothers, when I found MY grizzly bear, I began to preach to him from the King James Authorized version of the Bible. But that bear would have none of it; he grabbed hold of me, and we wrestled down one hill and up another until we came to a river. Seizing my opportunity, I dunked that bear, and baptized his hairy soul. He gave his heart and soul to Jesus, got a haircut, came to church in a new suit last Sunday, and even put ten dollars in the collection plate.”

They both turned the rabbi, who was in a wheelchair, with full-body cast, and connected to an IV drip. In a weak voice, the rabbi said, “Looking back on it all, circumcision may not have been the best way to start.”

  • Odos, the Road, people of the way, metaphor for spiritual journeys
  • sometimes in our zeal for God, we think we're on the right road, but aren't.
  • Anger and persecution (Saul) is not God's way, but love, mercy and forgiveness (Ananias).
  • There is a cost for following the way (for Ananias, it's taking a risk on an outsider, for Saul, it's his very life).
  • God chooses the most unlikely (and unworthy) people to use as instruments.