S – Agrippa said to Paul, “Are you going to persuade me to become a Christian so easily?” 

²⁹“I wish before God,” replied Paul, “that whether easily or with difficulty, not only you but all who listen to me today might become as I am—except for these chains.

Acts 26:28–29 CSB 

O – Commentary:

This enigmatic remark might have been ironic, incredulous, scoffing, or brushing off Paul’s challenge. It also might have been a direct statement of Paul’s persuasiveness, or a direct statement about or genuine question of Paul’s intention. It seems best to take Agrippa’s reply as deliberately evasive: He didn’t want to admit that he believed the prophets (26:27), for Paul had just made a strong case, and the next step would be to believe in Jesus as the promised Messiah to whom the prophets pointed. Agrippa didn’t want to take that step. On the other hand, he didn’t want to say that he didn’t believe the prophets, for that would alienate the Jewish subjects to whose loyalties he wanted to appeal. His non-committal response underlines his discomfort with Paul’s testimony.

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

A – Paul calls the court to salvation while on trial.  The irony of it gives us a fresh picture of God’s working in situations that don’t make sense.  You would expect Paul to plead for his freedom and release.  Instead, he shares his story and the plan of salvation.  God will use us if we make ourselves available.  The final irony is that they would have given him his freedom but he appealed to Caesar.

R – Heavenly Father, you are unlimited in power and presence.  We invite you into all the situations and conversations today.  You draw others to you by your Holy Spirit and love.  Help us to be vessels for you in the way we speak and interact with others.