January 29, 2016 (Friday)
The Roman governor, Festus, asked the puppet King of the Jews, Agrippa, to hear a prisoner named Saul of Tarsus, who was falsely accused by the Jewish governing body, the Sanhedrin, of crimes against Rome. During the course of the interview, Saul (also known as Paul) asked King Agrippa about his faith. Agrippa’s response was “Are you trying to make me into a Christian, like you?” Paul’s response was, “I wish you were just like me, except for these chains” (Acts 26:28-29).
What did Paul mean when said, “I wish you were just like me?” He most definitely did not mean he wished Agrippa harm; he wished him well. “Just like me” meant identifying himself with Jesus Christ as His Savior. Paul longed for people to come to Christ in faith so that they might experience His amazing grace.
Paul could have said these words to anyone in the world, and he made every effort to do so. He traveled far and wide convincing people to accept Christ and experience His salvation as he himself had done. Since that day when Saul met the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, he had become a changed person, and “just like me” meant “saved by the grace of God in Christ.” He wished that for every person in the world.
If I were to say “I wish you were just like me,” I would not mean I wish you looked like me, talked liked me, shared all of my interests, and imitated me in all respects. I would simply mean the same thing that Paul meant when he said that to King Agrippa: “I wish you would believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior!” And, if you are not a Christian today, that is exactly what I am saying.
“Just like me” means I want you to believe, as I do, in Christ as Savior. “Just like me” means I want you to be forgiven of all your sins, as I am, because of Jesus’ atoning death, burial and resurrection. “Just like me” means my greatest desire for you is that you find a new purpose for living as Jesus Christ becomes the most important presence in your life. “Just like me” means I want you to experience real joy in your heart as a child of God. I am not perfect; I am forgiven. I wish that for you.