Giving, Receiving, and Proclaiming Forgiveness

Acts 9:10-25

She and her sister ran an underground railway in their native Netherlands for Jews during WWII. When they were discovered, they were arrested and jailed at Ravensbrück, a concentration camp. They were ill-treated and abused. Her sister Betsie was tortured and died at the hands of prison guards. Corrie survived and learned to forgive as Christ forgave. At the end of the war, she traveled the world speaking about forgiveness. One day, she received an invitation to speak at a church in Munich. When she spoke, she saw a man at the back. Immediately, she recognized him as the guard most responsible for Betsie’s death.

He came up to her and said - “I became a Christian after the war. Your message on forgiveness touched me. You told about camp Ravensbrück. I was there. I have always wanted to ask forgiveness of someone personally so I ask you: will you forgive me?” At that point, Corrie ten Boom froze. She recounted. “There stands a man before me, co-responsible for the slow horrible death of my dear Betsie and he dares to ask me for forgiveness. All those beautiful sermons about forgiveness but now I have to forgive myself. And I can’t.” The man held out his hand but she wouldn’t take it. “I pray softly to Jesus. I don’t want this! You have to help me. Then I realize, ‘Forgiveness is not an emotion. It is an act of the will.’ The feeling is not there but I can move my hand. Almost mechanically I place my hand in his. And then something extraordinary happens. I suddenly feel a warm wave through my body. From my shoulder, through my arm, to our hands. I have to cry, “I forgive you brother, with all my heart.” There we stood. The camp guard and the prisoner. For a long time we held hands. And never before have I experienced the love of God so deeply.” 

The guard received forgiveness. Corrie gave him forgiveness. And she proclaimed forgiveness in Christ. The church of Jesus Christ is a community of people who are forgiven and who forgive one another, and forgive their enemies. But we do struggle greatly. It’s not something easy to do - it’s something divine. But God gives his people the power to do this divine work. This we see today in our passage in 3 propositions. Firstly, giving forgiveness is an act of obedience. Secondly, receiving forgiveness results in change. Thirdly, those who are forgiven proclaim that same forgiveness.

Firstly, giving forgiveness is an act of obedience. We saw in chapter 9 how Saul was coming to Damascus to persecute Christians. But Christ confronted him, brought him to his knees, and he realized his sin when he oppose the gospel. Christ’s purpose was to forgive, restore, and use Saul. This is the message of Christianity. That God would completely forgive the sins even of the worst sinners to make them saints. God told Saul in verse 6 - “Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.” And after 3 days, Christ revealed Saul’s mission to him. Saul was to preach the forgiveness of sins to the world! But Saul had to experience God’s forgiveness too. So God sent someone to help Saul understanding this. But God also had to work in this disciple. Verse 10 - “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.” Ananias knew Jesus’ voice. This was not the tender forgiving call of Saul, Saul, but a command. And unlike Saul who asked with surprise - who are you Lord? Ananias straightaway answered - “Behold I am here, Lord.” Ananias was a disciple of Damascus. Meaning, he came from Damascus. He either converted at Jerusalem during Pentecost and returned; or he was converted when the persecuted Christians returned to Damascus. He was not an officer - he was not one of the 12 apostles, nor one of the 6 deacons. He was a disciple commanded by God through a vision to minister. And the ministry he was commanded to do was to restore Saul. Verses 11-12 - “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.”

This command required him to put his hand on Saul. It was a symbol of acceptance. But more than acceptance, it was forgiveness and restoration - so that he might receive sight. It wasn’t a heavy hand to whack and punish him, but a gentle hand to show grace. This would’ve been difficult for Ananias to hear. Christ asked him to go to Saul of Tarsus - a dangerous man. And surprisingly, Saul was praying. But he’s a persecutor! Not a prayer. Prayer meant that he was repentant, supplicant, and reverent. He was also praying in someone’s house - it was private prayer - not the proud street corner public prayer of the Pharisees. He did not proclaim how good he was, but he prayed as he waited for Ananias to come to lay hands. And Saul had a vision just like Ananias had a vision from Christ - same content! Christ intended Saul to be forgiven and restored.

Such a ministry was fearful. It is difficult to be peacemakers, to forgive, to seek forgiveness, to work towards reconciliation, to restore. Saul had to battle against his flesh - that what he did was sin. Ananias also battled against flesh. He had to deal with his fear of the fearsome Saul. And it may not have been fear - but fury. Saul had killed his fellow believers, his friends. It could’ve been both feelings. He had heard of Saul’s reputation. Verses 13-14 - “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.” Saul was infamous. It was a well-known fact he arrested Christians to stand trial. He did much evil. Imagine being asked to show radical love - to forgive and reach out to the killer of your sister - to forgive the man who tortured your friends. But he, for all the fear and fury he had, feared Christ more. Why? Christ showed radical love to this Saul who had a vision and was praying humbly. This Christ had also showed radical love to Ananias! And now, he gave the same vision to him as he prayed. We know he was praying because Jesus told him to arise. So God answered his fears and fury. God told him in verses 15-16 that Saul would be greatly used. Christ died for Ananias and was using Ananias now. So Christ died for Saul and would use Saul next time. Saul would suffer for Christ. And not as a punishment, but a privilege. He would preach like Christ and suffer like Christ. This would’ve taught Ananias that Saul was no longer an enemy, but a friend. That’s the gospel of forgiveness - how God makes your enemies your friends.

And we see the result. Ananias responded with obedience. Verse 17 - “And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.” He went to Saul, entered the dreaded house and placed his hands on Saul. Saul was waiting for these hands. This was the acceptance and restoration he waited for. And now, he experienced that forgiveness. Ananias called him Brother. Saul received assurance of forgiveness and was was welcomed into the family of Christ. He was given the gift of the Spirit. How did this all happen? Not only because God was merciful - but because a disciple obeyed God to restore and forgive.

Now, how did such mercy affect Saul? We see secondly, receiving forgiveness results in change. Saul was in the house of Judas on Straight Street in Damascus praying. It had been 3 days. He fasted and mourned. Why? Because there was guilt because of knowledge of his sins. Previously when Saul was confronted by Jesus, he was overwhelmed. He was overwhelmed by 3 things. He was overwhelmed by the knowledge that Jesus - whom he killed - was God himself, sitting on his throne, ruling his church and would come to judge the world. He was also overwhelmed knowing he couldn’t continue being self-righteous and angry, policing and arresting Christians, to bring them to trial. He was wrong. He was not the righteous one. They were counted righteous and forgiven. All the good works he was doing couldn’t restore him. He also realized all he had done was against Christ and his people. He had sinned against God. Fear of judgment? Yes, but grief for his crimes - who could forgive him? So he mourned for 3 days and nights - yearning for forgiveness. King David mourned many days without food and drink when he was confronted with his sins - he knew he couldn’t challenge God - he was wrong. He defended not himself. He simply accepted and mourned. There can be no repentance, without guilt.

We learn in verse 18, he submitted himself to Christ and Christ’s people. After Ananias put his gentle and reassuring hands on Saul, that “immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.” He was baptized. He identified with his new family. His guilt was cleansed away when he believed and was forgiven, he was filled with the Spirit. Now, he was washed to show what happened inwardly. Can you imagine the peace that came upon his heart? These were the people he had come to arrest, but they called him brother. They laid their hands on his filthy murderous head. And what they also did was feed him. They took him in and fed him from their table. Like King David inviting Mephibosheth to his table - the grandson of his enemy - to feed him and receive him. Mephiboseth said to David, bowing himself - “What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?”

Saul did this in a sense, receiving mercy from his once enemies. He was rejuvenated and received. Verse 19 says, “And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.” When he got up, the first time after 3 days, he was given food. Maybe he was offered before, but he rejected it. Now, he ate. Now that guilt was relieved. Saul likely had extreme guilt but also extreme shame. Guilt’s the feeling we have when we know we’ve sinned. Shame’s the feeling we have when we others reject us for our sins. Saul likely had both. But now, guilt was removed - God forgave him; shame was removed - they forgave him. And he was strengthened. This is the great gift of God to those in the church - that we who were once enemies are forgiven by him and by our brethren. Peter denied Jesus three times, but Jesus restored him three times feeding him by the shores of Galilee, that he could strengthen his brethren. Dearly beloved, guilt is good - it brings restoration when we receive it. When we reject it, we kill - as Saul once did. When he felt it and received forgiveness, he was strengthened.

After he was rejuvenated, Saul did what he was forgiven to do - to preach the forgiveness of God in Christ Jesus. That’s the last proposition. A forgiven person promotes forgiveness. He didn’t rest very long. Once he was rejuvenated, he preached that same gospel of forgiveness. Verse 20 - “And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.” Straightaway or immediately. He didn’t wait. It was the next Sabbath that he went into the synagogues, which met on the Sabbath - and he preached Christ - that Jesus, was the Son of God, who came to save sinners from sins and God’s judgment. Those who believe would be saved - even the worst of sinners, like him would be saved from sin and self. Verse 18 says Saul was filled with the Holy Spirit. Saul preached because he was filled by the Holy Spirit. And his preaching amazed and confounded hearers. Verses 21-22 say that all who heard him were amazed - they asked if he was the same person who wanted to arrest Christians? But his life and doctrine were so changed. All who heard him were amazed. They were overwhelmed. In the past, he taught that righteousness came when you obeyed, but now he proclaimed Christ’s righteousness and sacrifice. Whereas he petitioned the High Priest for arrest warrants, now he risked his life as a Christian. It says the more he preached he increased more in strength. As he preached, his preaching became more clear, more compelling, more compassionate that he confounded them. The Jews in Damascus couldn’t refute his proofs that Jesus was Christ. This is what Stephen did to him in the synagogue in Jerusalem. Now Saul was doing the same. The doctrine he rejected before, he saw and understood now. He interpreted the Old Testament in light of Christ. He saw it now because he had been forgiven. Jesus was the seed of the woman who would destroy Satan’s power; Abraham’s seed that would bless the whole world; the ultimate sacrifice that would atone for all sin - not just sins of ignorance, but high handed willful sins. Where Noah’s Ark saved 8 souls from the flood, Jesus would save all souls in him hell-fire. Saul spoke in such a way that they couldn’t refute him. Saul put forth Christ’s forgiveness of sins.

But how did people react to this message of forgiveness? Some people are humbled by the gospel - that God would forgive their sins. Others are angered by the gospel - how dare you say I have sins! Verses 23-24 say they were angry - “And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.” Jesus told Ananias in verse 16, that Saul would suffer. It was being fulfilled. They couldn’t understand how Saul betrayed their cause to join the Christians. And so they lay in ambush for him day and night. This showed how much he had changed. From someone who fought for and led their cause to the greatest traitor and enemy. But it also showed how much the people had changed toward him - like Ananias - from fear to forgiveness to friendship. Verse 25 - they risked their safety to help Saul escape. The gates were sealed, arrest warrants were likely issued to arrest Saul - but he was lowered down. They bore his weight. He wasn’t heavy to them. He had a destiny - to preach the gospel to kings and gentiles. They gave up their lives and safety to preserve his - like Jesus giving his life for his friends.

Dearly beloved, what we see here is heart work and hard work. And these are often things we don’t want to do for one another. Firstly, do you do the work of restoration? Ananias was obedient to Christ to restore Saul. God calls us to be peacemakers. He tells us to tell those who have sinned against us their sins - privately between yourselves - but we gossip don’t we? The Bible says that whoever rebukes his brother of sin and rescues his brother covers a multitude of sins. Do we offer forgiveness? But secondly, do you feel guilt for your sins? When Saul was saved, he felt that guilt. He had done wrong to Christ and Christ’s people. Haven’t we? Very often, we assuage our guilt by putting more guilt on the other person. He did more wrong than I did. But without guilt, we can’t experience forgiveness. Without guilt we won’t seek forgiveness. There’s too much holding on of anger. There are too many frayed relationships in the church of Christ. Too many conflicts but not enough guilt.

Thirdly, do you do the work of rejuvenation? Do we receive and show goodness to receive our former enemies? Jesus invited his disciples as the host to his table. There, he offered a sop to Judas - whatever we might make of it - it was a display of kindness. Yes, Judas rejected that mercy. Do we fear not doing this work because others will reject us? He washed their feet when they should’ve served him the night before his death. After Peter denied him, he still fed Peter at Galilee and restored him thrice. Jesus invites us to his table - we who sin. Shall we not invite our enemies to make up with them? It’s so easy to sweep things under the rug. But if there’s forgiveness, there must be follow through - friendship, as the Lord allows. We don’t even want to stretch out our arms to let forgiveness and friendship follow through. We don’t have faith in God to do the work in us.

And fourthly, there’s the proclamation of forgiveness. Saul was transformed and therefore he was radical in his proclamation. The degree to which we recognize our guilt and sin and how radical our forgiveness was, will result in how radical our practice and proclamation of forgiveness will be. Dearly beloved, does this therefore mean, how unforgiving we are is because we haven’t realized how much we have been forgiven? The Lord Jesus bears our weight of sin on his broken body, so that he can lift us up to heaven one day.

Questions for Reflection: