Ananias was a faithful disciple. It does not seem that he personally experienced Saul’s violent persecution, but he had certainly “heard from many about this man” (Acts 9:13). Now the Lord was sending Ananias to visit that same man. In fact, the Lord had already told Saul that Ananias was coming.

After some reassurance from the Lord, Ananias went; and it is lovely to see how thoroughly he accepted the assignment. In the vision Saul received from God, Ananias would simply put his hand on him so that his sight would be restored. But Ananias put both hands on Saul (v. 17) and spoke of the Lord Jesus and of the Holy Spirit. When retelling the experience years later, the apostle Paul also remembered that Ananias described his future ministry and told him to be baptized (22:12–16).

Even further, Acts 9:17 tells us the very first words Ananias spoke to him: “Brother Saul.” This is so touching! At one time, Saul was nothing to Ananias but “this man”; yet now, if Saul was truly the Lord’s, he was “brother Saul.” This must have spread such warmth in Saul’s heart that it was never forgotten. Decades later, it was still the very first thing he remembered about Ananias: “He stood and said to me, ‘Brother Saul’” (22:13).

The Lord Jesus had said that by persecuting believers Saul was persecuting Him (9:5). In seed form, this was a revelation of the truth of the body of Christ in principle. Then Ananias proved it to be true for Saul in experience, resting his hands on him and calling him “brother Saul.” Is there someone in your life who needs to feel that touch and hear that word? Perhaps the Lord is sending you.