Bible Reading: Ruth 1; Acts 26; Jeremiah 36 & 45; Psalm 9
Acts 26:28-29 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.
Agrippa who was very interested in the Jewish religion had read the prophets and supposedly believed them. When Paul was in his presence and preached the message of the resurrection of Jesus Christ Agrippa said he was almost persuaded to become a Christian. When he told Paul that we get a glimpse into the heart of the apostle Paul in regards to people believing on Jesus Christ. Paul said in essence that his prayer was that Agrippa and all that heard his voice were almost and altogether such as he was. He wanted them all to know Jesus Christ.
He did not want them to be in chains as he was that day. He wanted them to be converted and transformed by knowing Jesus Christ. This was the motivation behind the preaching of the apostle Paul. Even on trial, he was preaching the gospel and giving his personal testimony. He was doing what Jesus said would happen:
Matthew 10:18-20 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
Paul also realized that while in Jerusalem in jail that it was his opportunity to appeal to Caesar. So he was going to be taken to Rome. For Paul, another missionary journey! Even in chains the apostle was an ambassador and was carrying out the ministry that Jesus had given to him.
2 Corinthians 5:20-21 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
When Paul spoke of Jesus he knew that it was God who was giving him the words and it was God who was beseeching people through him to be reconciled to God. Are you living as an ambassador for Christ? Do you have the desire to see people almost and altogether believers in Jesus? Let's pray for that kind of passion for the lost!
In Christ,
Rody
