I recently returned from Israel, and walking where Jesus walked changes everything. This passage from Acts 26 has been wrecking me ever since—it’s Paul standing before King Agrippa, on trial for his life. But here’s what gets me: Paul isn’t really defending himself. He’s preaching the gospel to a king.
I Used to Be Just Like You
Paul starts by endearing himself to the king in Acts 26:2-3: “King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today… and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies” (NIV).
Then he shares his story. He was a Pharisee, persecuting Christians. Paul’s saying, “King Agrippa, I used to be just like you. I used to think like you and walk like you. But I’ve seen the light, and now that I’ve been set free, I can’t not share the freedom that I found.”
When you have tasted and seen that the Lord is good, you are compelled to tell—even if you could lose your life for telling.
The Damascus Road Encounter
Acts 26:13-15 records what happened: “About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me… I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?'” (NIV).
This is Paul’s testimony. It’s simple: “God appeared to me while I was murdering Christians. I was persecuting the worst of the worst. But God was in pursuit of me.”
We think we’re so tripped up in sharing our faith. “I don’t know the whole Bible.” But Paul’s just sharing his story—and if there’s something people relate to, it’s stories.
Rise and Go
Here’s what Jesus told Paul in Acts 26:16: “Now get to your feet! I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness” (NIV).
Rise and go.
Every single time Jesus encounters someone, He says, “Rise and go.” It’s not rocket science. You don’t have to be a scholar. You just need your testimony.
Acts 26:19 says: “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven” (NIV). Have you obeyed? Following Christ is a decision. There’s an intentionality behind it.
The Chipotle Testimony
Can I share a story? A few years ago, my niece was struggling at a secular university. I’d lost most of my influence in her life. All I could do was pray.
In the last two weeks of the semester, a college girl in one of her classes asked my niece to lunch. This girl didn’t hang out in the same circles, didn’t have the same hobbies. But she was convinced that everyone needs to hear about Jesus.
They went to get a burrito. The girl bought my niece lunch, told her testimony, and said, “What would happen if you gave your heart to Jesus?”
My niece started crying. She said, “My aunt in Springfield has told me everything about Him, and I want to do that.”
This eighteen-year-old girl—someone I’ve never met—wasn’t worried about rejection or looking like a goody-two-shoes. And she radically transformed my niece’s eternity at a Chipotle.
Whether Quickly or Not
King Agrippa interrupted Paul and said, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” (Acts 26:28, NIV)
Paul replied in verse 29: “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am” (NIV).
To the very end, Paul was saying, “I hope you will know who Christ is. I hope you will know that He is for you and not against you.”
Your Turn
Has Christ so transformed your life that you’re willing to share?
We’re missing it if we’re looking at someone and thinking, “They’re not interested,” or “We don’t have anything in common.” The heart of the gospel is to rise and to go.
Start with your testimony. It doesn’t have to be your salvation story—just whatever Christ has done for you lately. You have a story.
God has placed specific people in your path. Will you share with them? Be willing to buy them lunch, take them to coffee, send a text message—whatever it is.
There’s coming a day when it will be too late. But today it’s not too late.
God loves them. Christ died for them. And He’s appointed you to tell them.
Want more encouragement? Follow Sara’s daily devotionals on Instagram @saraforhetz or tune in weekdays 6-10 AM on 88.3 The Wind.
