Brother Saul: Grace Welcomes an Enemy — Acts 9:10–25
Oct 15, 2026 9
How would you welcome a man who had come to arrest you? Ananias knew how much evil Saul had done to Christians in Jerusalem. Yet when he entered the house, his first words were full of extraordinary grace: “Brother Saul.”
Acts 9:13–18
[13] But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. [14] And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” [15] But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. [16] For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” [17] So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” [18] And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptised; (ESV)
Ananias’s fear was understandable. Saul had come to Damascus with authority to arrest everyone who called on the name of Jesus. Ananias honestly tells the Lord what he has heard.
But Jesus simply tells him, “Go.” Saul is now Christ’s chosen instrument, called to carry his name before Gentiles, kings, and the people of Israel. The persecutor will proclaim Christ, and he will also suffer for Christ.
[Watch this week’s video devotion with Dave Miers]
Brother Saul: the enemy is welcomed as family
Ananias obeys. He enters the house, places his hands on Saul, and calls him “Brother Saul”.
Think about those words. Ananias is saying: You are not my enemy. You are not a stranger. You are part of my family. I receive you.
What incredible grace. What incredible welcome.
Something like scales falls from Saul’s eyes. He can see again. He rises, is baptised, eats, and regains his strength. Then he spends time with the very disciples he had intended to arrest. The persecutor has been received. The church has a new brother. Grace has triumphed.
Grace welcomes the hard to love
Jesus calls people to find refuge, security, and hope in him. If this is what we have found in Christ, we should be ready to welcome others as he has welcomed us.
That includes people whose past makes us fearful or suspicious. The gospel creates a new family, and the grace of Jesus can turn enemies and strangers into brothers and sisters.
The Good News is…
Jesus came to save sinners and welcome us into God’s family. Through his death and resurrection, he forgives us, fills his people with his Spirit, and gives us a new identity together in Christ.
“Brother Saul” shows us what the grace of Jesus can do. No one earns this welcome. We receive it through Christ. Then we learn to extend that same grace to the wayward, the fearful, the enemy, and the hard-to-love.
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Further reading: Acts 9:10-25
Reflection
Is there someone you are tempted to keep at a distance because of their past? Ask Jesus to help you welcome others with the grace you have received from him.
Rev. Dave Miers
President, Good News Unlimited