2021/09/27

6. The Disciples of Jesus

I have thought about Ananias of Damascus,¹ who was involved in the conversion of St. Paul, many times because the conversation with the Lord Ananias had in the vision and the subsequent actions he took were a clear indication of a disciple Lord Jesus trained. Ananias was familiar with the voice of the Lord and spoke his thoughts openly to the Lord, trusting in his own attitude towards the Word of God. 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 of the Apostles 9:13). This relationship between the Lord Jesus and his disciple becomes the basis on which the disciple is constantly awake to the enmity God has placed in him,² and fully recognize the accidental information. Ananias did not hesitate to side with the Word, even when the stories he heard had come from trusted friends, and the negative 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), was fulfilled in the disciples who walked with him. 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 in later generations.

Reference: 1. Acts of the Apostles (9:1-20), 2. This blog (No. 5)

Maria K. M.