Arise and Go: How God Uses Ordinary People to Reach Difficult People

There is likely someone in your life who seems completely unreachable when it comes to faith. Someone whose resistance to Jesus feels like a wall you will never get through. The story of Saul of Tarsus in Acts 9 shows us that no one is beyond God's reach, and that He often uses ordinary, everyday believers to get there.

Some People Seem Impossible to Reach

If there was ever a person who seemed impossible to reach for Jesus, it was Saul of Tarsus. Acts 9:1-2 paints a vivid picture of just how dangerous he was.

"Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from Him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, He might bring them bound to Jerusalem." - Acts 9:1-2 New King James Version (NKJV)

Saul was not just indifferent to Christians. He was actively hunting them down. He believed with everything in him that he was serving God by trying to eliminate followers of Jesus.

Maybe you have someone like that in your life. Not violent, but deeply resistant. A prodigal child, a bitter ex-spouse, a hardened coworker, an atheist friend, or a family member who has been wounded by pain or loss. Maybe you have quietly concluded in your heart that they will never change.

The story of Saul is a direct challenge to that conclusion.

Jesus Knows Who Belongs to Him

On the road to Damascus, something extraordinary happened to Saul.

"As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?' And he said, 'Who are You, Lord?' Then the Lord said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.'" - Acts 9:3-5 New King James Version (NKJV)

Notice what Jesus said. He did not say, "Why are you persecuting My followers?" He said, "Why are you persecuting Me?" That is a stunning statement. Jesus is so united with His people that to attack the church is to attack Jesus Himself.

This carries a powerful implication for all of us. How you treat His people is how you treat Him. Jesus cannot be separated from His church. If you ignore or walk away from His people, you have walked away from Jesus.

When Saul heard those three words, "I am Jesus," everything He believed came crashing down. The resurrection was real. The Christians were right. And in an instant, the man who was hunting believers became one himself.

No one knew Saul belonged to Jesus. Saul himself had no idea. But Jesus did. He always knows who belongs to Him.

Jesus Often Sends Ordinary Believers to Difficult People

After His encounter with Saul, Jesus did something unexpected. He did not send an angel or appear in a vision to Saul again. He sent an ordinary believer named Ananias.

"Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias. And the Lord said to Him in a vision, 'Ananias.' And he said, 'Here I am, Lord.' So the Lord said to Him, 'Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, He is praying.'" - Acts 9:10-11 New King James Version (NKJV)

We know almost nothing about Ananias. He was not a famous apostle or a well-known leader. He was just a disciple. An ordinary believer. And his first response was beautiful: "Here I am, Lord." Ready, willing, and available.

Then Jesus told Him what He wanted. Go to Saul of Tarsus, the most feared name in the early church.

What Happens When Fear Takes Over

Ananias did not stay in that willing posture for long. Fear set in fast.

"Then Ananias answered, 'Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm He has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.'" - Acts 9:13-14 New King James Version (NKJV)

In his shock, Ananias essentially tried to update Jesus on the situation, as if Jesus did not already know. It is almost funny when you see it clearly. He was saying, "Lord, I have reliable sources, and I can tell you this is a very bad idea."

But this is what fear does. It narrows your vision to the immediate threat and makes it hard to trust that God is still working. It is not unique to Ananias. When frightening news hits, even the most faithful people can lose perspective and say things they would never say otherwise.

The remarkable thing is how Jesus responded. He did not rebuke Ananias harshly. He simply and calmly repeated the command and gave a little more explanation.

"But the Lord said to Him, 'Go, for He is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.'" - Acts 9:15 New King James Version (NKJV)

Calm. Patient. Kind. Jesus simply said, "I have a plan. Go." That kind of gentleness in the face of doubt is worth sitting with for a moment.

How Can You Tell If Someone Is Ready to Hear the Gospel?

Ananias did not know Saul was ready until Jesus told Him directly. That kind of direct word is the exception, not the rule. So how do ordinary believers know when to step toward a difficult person?

The answer is to ask questions and listen carefully. Here are four questions worth keeping in your back pocket:

• Has anything changed with you spiritually since we last spoke?
• Has anything changed in the way you think about God lately?
• Is there anything spiritual that you are wrestling with right now?
• If I asked you where you are spiritually today, would your answer be different than it was six months ago?

These questions are low-pressure ways to test the waters. If someone responds with openness, take a next step. Invite them to church, share a meal, ask about their spiritual background, or share your own story of faith. Your personal testimony is always a powerful tool.

If they respond with resistance or anger, that is information too. It may simply mean this is not the moment. Keep praying, keep waiting, and try again when the time is right. Remember, Jesus is the Savior. You are not. Your job is to be faithful and available, not to force a result.

Nobody Is Beyond the Grace of God

Ananias obeyed. He walked into the room where Saul was sitting, blind and fasting, and called him something no one would have expected: "Brother Saul."

"And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, 'Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.' Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized." - Acts 9:17-18 New King James Version (NKJV)

The church's greatest enemy became part of the family. The man who hunted Christians went on to write 13 of the 27 books of the New Testament. If Jesus can save Saul of Tarsus, He can save anyone.

That is the point. Never give up on the difficult people in your life. God uses ordinary believers to reach them, and no one is beyond His grace.

Are You the Difficult Person?

Before closing, there is one more question worth asking. Who is the most difficult person you know when it comes to following Jesus? Is it possible the answer is you?

Are you the one resisting? Are you the one who would shock the people around you if you fully surrendered to Jesus? It all comes down to trust. Will you trust Jesus, or will you keep trusting your own conclusions about life and God?

Jesus is good. It is safe to let go and trust Him. He died as a sacrifice for sinners, and He promises to forgive and make new anyone who comes to Him.

Life Application

This week, think of one person in your life who seems difficult or resistant when it comes to faith. Commit to praying for them every day this week. Then, when the opportunity feels right, try asking one of the four questions listed above. You do not need to have all the answers. You just need to be willing to show up, like Ananias, and say, "Here I am, Lord."

Ask yourself these questions as you reflect on this message:

• Who is the difficult person in my life that I have quietly given up on, and am I willing to start praying for them again?
• When fear or past rejection has stopped me from speaking about Jesus, have I been trusting my own perspective more than God's plan?
• Am I connected to a local church family, and do I understand how seriously Jesus takes that connection?
• Is there any area of my own life where I am the one being resistant to Jesus, and what would it look like to take one step toward Him this week?