Paul, still in chains, said, “That’s what I’m praying for, whether now or later, and not only you but everyone listening today, to become like me—except, of course, for this prison jewelry!”
Acts 26:28-29 The Message
My youngest granddaughter and I are great friends. We love to be together - to do nothing or to do something, it doesn't matter. We just like to be together. The scary part of it is that although 60 years separate us, we are very much alike. Sometimes, when I see my own less-than-desirable stubborn traits surface in her, I remind her parents, "We need to pray harder!" Although I will say, they are doing a fine job of raising her in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Praise God!
My siblings and I are now the oldest generation in our family. It's amazing to see the 4th generation of children in my older brothers' lines; especially when I think of all the history that is represented there and back just a couple of generations. My maternal grandfather was saved a little over a hundred years ago. His life drastically changed, thus altering the path forward of the generations to follow. Thank You, God! For each generation is affected for good or for evil by the previous.
Think about the generations of Herods. In his attempt to kill Jesus, Herod the Great wiped out all male babes two and under - the age group he figured Jesus would be in from the first he heard of Him. Herod Agrippa I (his grandson) is written about in Acts 12: On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last. Herod Antipas actually met Jesus when He was being tried but failed to recognize Him as the Messiah. And then there's King Herod Agrippa II...who made a joke of Paul's impassioned plea. NKJV records his words as You almost persuade me to become a Christian. Four opportunities to meet the Savior of the world and to change their lives forever... each becoming like the one before him. Almost persuaded.
We've been promised that we would have one opportunity to hear and receive the Good News for ourselves. Most of us in America have heard it many times; maybe not as much elsewhere in the world. The question is, what have we done with the one time that we did hear that Jesus died on the cross to pay for the penalty of our sins so that we could be forgiven and restored to relationship with our Heavenly Father? Who are we becoming like? Who do the generations coming after us favor? Who will they become like?
Prayer:
Father,
May all who hear of Your grace and mercy to us in the crucifixion of Your Son, Jesus Christ, listen and obey Your Word. May we be according to Your Word in 1st John 3:2, Who knows how we’ll end up! What we know is that when Christ is openly revealed, we’ll see Him—and in seeing Him, become like Him. All of us who look forward to His Coming stay ready, with the glistening purity of Jesus’ life as a model for our own. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
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