6. The Disciples of Jesus
I have repeatedly reflected on Ananias of Damascus, who was involved in St Paul's conversion.
The reason is that the content of Ananias' conversation with the Lord in the vision and his subsequent behaviour clearly tell the story of one who had been trained as a disciple of the Lord Jesus.
Familiar with the voice of the Lord, Ananias trusts in his own attitude towards the Word of God and speaks openly to the Lord about what he is thinking.
So, when Jesus commanded him to visit Paul, he answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to thy saints at Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call upon thy name" (Acts 9:13-14).
This relationship between the Lord Jesus and his disciples is the foundation for the disciples to remain awake to the “enmity put by God” and to firmly discern “accidental information”.
Ananias did not hesitate to side with the Lord, even though the rumours he had heard were from trusted associates and the bad information about Paul was solid.
The words of Jesus, "A disciple is not above his teacher, but every one when he is fully taught will be like his teacher" (Luke 6:40), were realised on the disciples who walked with the Lord Jesus.
They became familiar with the voice of the Lord, shared His worldview with Jesus Christ and trusted in their own attitude towards the Word of God.
The training to acquire this attitude was entrusted to the Book of Revelation for the disciples of later generations.
Maria K. M.
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