Paul said, “I am fortunate, King Agrippa, that you are the one hearing my defense today against all these accusations made by the Jewish leaders…One day I was on such a mission to Damascus, armed with the authority and commission of the leading priests. About noon, Your Majesty, as I was on the road, a light from heaven BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN shone down on me and my companions. We all fell down, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is useless for you to fight against my will.’” (Acts 26:2,12-14)
Paul asked, “‘Who are you, lord? And the Lord replied, ‘I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. Now get to your feet! For I have appeared to you to APPOINT YOU AS MY SERVANT AND WITNESS. Tell people that you have seen me, and tell them what I will show you in the future. And I will rescue you from both your own people and the Gentiles. Yes, I AM SENDING YOU TO THE GENTILES to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and FROM THE POWER OF SATAN TO GOD. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.’” (Acts 26:15-18)
“But GOD HAS PROTECTED ME RIGHT UP TO THIS PRESENT TIME so I can testify to everyone, from the least to the greatest. I teach nothing except what the prophets and Moses said would happen— that the Messiah would suffer and BE THE FIRST TO RISE FROM THE DEAD, and in this way announce God’s light TO JEWS AND GENTILES ALIKE.” (Acts 26:22-23)
Then Agrippa spoke to Paul. “Are you trying to talk me into becoming a Christian?” he said. “Do you think you can do that in such a short time?” Paul replied, “I don’t care if it takes a short time or a long time. I pray to God for you and all who are listening to me today. I pray that you may BECOME (a Christian) LIKE ME, EXCEPT FOR THESE CHAINS I AM BOUND WITH.“ (Acts 26:28-29)
“Since then, the children have partaken of flesh and blood, Jesus also Himself likewise partook of the same;“ (Hebrews 2:14) In other words, the children here ARE HUMAN BEINGS. We’ve been created by God in a physical form with the potential of becoming HIS ETERNAL CHILDREN. And then He says Jesus Christ BECAME FLESH AND BLOOD LIKE US. Before He existed as a baby in Mary’s womb, He existed FOR ETERNITY with God the Father. To understand how He can be your brother, you must realize that HE WAS WILLING TO LEAVE THAT STATE TEMPORARILY AND BECOME LIKE US, able to feel pain, able to become tired and hungry, experience the fear of death, and ultimately, experience death itself. THAT’S HOW MUCH GOD LOVES US…
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham