In a Short Time

Acts 26:28

In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?

As Paul shared with King Agrippa, he explained his background, his defense, and his conversion. By background, Paul was a Pharisee who had obeyed the law implicitly even going so far as to persecute those who were of the way. Why mention this? Would it give him more credibility? Perhaps, but it would also make him aware of all the prophesies concerning Christ. He firmly established that the issue separating he and the Jews was the resurrection, that God could raise from the dead.

As he recounted his conversion, he shared the dialogue he had with Christ. "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against goads. And I said, Who are you Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. Pretty powerful words! He went on to state his mission, that is to open the eyes of the Gentiles so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. All this so that they could be forgiven of sin and have a place among the sanctified by faith in Jesus. By quoting Jesus, his testimony established the fact that salvation is between each individual and Jesus. This goes for a king or a tribune.

Paul then shared his itinerary. He had preached the same message in Damascus, Jerusalem, all throughout Judea, and to the Gentiles. He emphasized that his message was straight from the law and the prophets, that Christ would suffer, rise from the dead, and proclaim light to the Jews and the Gentiles. So why would the Jews object since it was in their own documents?  Did they feel Paul was stealing their thunder, or had they become so jaded that they couldn't recognize the fulfillment of prophesy.

Some doubted his rationality, but not Agrippa, and Paul knew that. Seizing the moment, he asked Agrippa if he knew the prophets, in essence pushing for a commitment. Instead of saying yes he tried to make light of it by replying, In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian? And Paul said, "Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am--except for these chains."  And that was the heart cry of Paul and should be the heart cry of every sinner saved by grace. But when the king arose, his entourage went with him. Talking privately, they all agreed he had done nothing worthy of death, but since he had appealed to Caesar, he would go to Caesar. From a human standpoint, his appeal was misguided, but from a divine standpoint, it was where he should be. For Agrippa and those there that day, it was an opportunity missed, an opportunity with eternal ramifications.

Even though Agrippa used those words [in a short time] to evade the issue, he revealed the truth of the gospel. It only takes a short time to respond to the call of Jesus upon the human heart. It doesn't require study, education, prestige, or possessions, it requires a simple yes. Such a short word uttered in a short time!

Father,

I want a heart for Jesus, one that is ready to share the gospel. Give me courage. Help me see the doors you want me to enter.

In Jesus name,

amen