God's Chosen Vessel

"And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 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." Acts 9: 10-15

Paul (originally Saul) came on the scene after Jesus' death and resurrection. He was a Jew that was persecuting Christians. Well, Jesus got a hold of him on the road to Damascus and Saul later became Paul who expanded the gospel of Jesus Christ over a great amount of territory for many years. Paul wrote many of the books in the New Testament.

The scripture above tells of Jesus sending Ananias to restore Paul's vision that he lost on the road to Damascus. Ananias did what most of us would foolishly do... he asked Jesus if He was sure about what He was asking, because Paul was notorious for persecuting Christians.

Then Jesus tells Ananias that Paul is His chosen vessel. I cannot think of any higher honor to bestow upon a person. Ananias was looking at Paul's past, but Jesus was looking at his future. Aren't you glad that Jesus doesn't see us the way the world sees us? Jesus sees us for what He has called us to do. Others may underestimate us, and we often underestimate ourselves, but Jesus will never do that.