The cabin lights were dim when the airplane began to dip and jerk. I was flying home from visiting my sister, who at the time lived in Hawaii, and I was aware that we were flying over the vast Pacific Ocean. The plane lurched again, sending my stomach to my throat. Seated between two strangers, I grabbed the armrests with a white knuckle grip, closed my eyes, and prayed. I wish I could say that I had profound thoughts, or a hopeful glimpse of eternity. But all I could think was, I don’t want to die between these two strangers.
In Acts 7, we witness one of the first displays of murderous violence against Christ’s Church. Stephen had been chosen to care for the growing number of new believers—in particular, the community’s widows—and so powerful was his ministry, a group of Jewish leaders within the community rose up in opposition, fearing their loss of influence. There was no doubt about their intentions. Acts 6:12 says they “dragged him off” (HCSB), and brought him to the Sanhedrin. Stephen must have recognized the pattern. It is what had happened to Jesus before a crowd yelled, “Crucify him!”
What would your last words be? Would you ask the murderous crowd for mercy? Would you defend yourself? Stephen does neither. Instead, he launches into an Old Testament exegesis worthy of the world’s best seminary. Throughout history, he says, Israelites have rejected the leaders and prophets God sent to them. Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. Moses was rejected by his Hebrew neighbors. Having just escaped Egypt, the Israelites still resist God in the desert, begging Aaron to build them a calf to worship. Time and time again, God’s people cut off His outstretched arm. “You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are always resisting the Holy Spirit” (Acts 7:51).
He isn’t able to tell the part of the story that we long to hear. He can’t explain the grace that Jesus offers to all of us stiff-necked resisters, because the crowd can’t stand it anymore. Imagine the rush of terror they drag him outside of the city. Coats are thrown down, rocks are picked up. And there goes the first stone. Dust flies up, and now, he is crying out. But he doesn’t call down judgment. He begs God to forgive.
Stephen is the Church’s first martyr. His life was marked by joy, service, and profound suffering. His last words were not about himself, or the injustice of his end. His last thoughts were of his Savior, and of the forgiveness available to all, through Christ’s mercy.
Good Morning Sisters! I have always been sad at Stevens story, but Wow is whhat I agree on ERB, such faith and we witness Jesus grace in Stephen’s death again by a mob not yelling crucify him but picking up stones. Arina I love what you wrote, I do see that Stephen did finish his preaching in the best way he could with the grace of God on his lips, praying that those who were in the act of murder be forgiven. Lauren, praying for your insurance to move forward quickly to cover your mri, for answers, and for healing. Traci, praying for your husband and Tanner. Sisters praying we see God’s miraculous mercies and realize all he is doing. Hugs and love wrapped in His light as Tina might say.
I keep thinking how God took someone like Stephen, great in faith and gave him the job of waiting tables and taking care of some of the “lowest” people. I think I tend to look at that and think his strengths were wasted (could be used better for some other task) and yet how mightily God used him! Seems to me that God is saying this kind of service is the MOST important task in the church.
I cant help but think that even as someone by today’s standards, he would seem like a “nobody”. Stephen helped serve the widows. Yet even in this lowly position, God used him to reach even us now. He was used even then mightily, enough to cause fear in the heart of the religious men. Stephen preached to them, and we are reading it thousands of years later! Wow! It is truly heartbreaking to read, but I’m thankful that his last vision was of Jesus before falling asleep and entering glory. God gave him peace in his final moments. Amen.
Stephen. Acts 7. Wow. My favorite. This beautiful retelling of Israel’s history and with all boldness Stephen holds fast to the truth. Stephen doesn’t hold back speaking the truth about what these people hve done and continued to do right instep with their ancestors. He doesn’t hold back even though he knows the end will be near because “which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute ? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murders you have now become.” v.52 BUT THEN, the most beautiful sight—filled with the Holy Spirit he saw the GLORY OF GOD and JESUS standing at the right hand of God!! Stephen, strong leader even to through his death, speaking the truth to them without pause, without holding it back to spare their feelings, after all that, he asked for the Lord to receive his spirit and to not hold their sin against them. Beautiful. Wow. An amazing example even in death. Also not to mention a preview of SAUL is here too. More to come with Saul soon. Wow. Praise GOD for Stephen, praise God for the power of the Old Testament, praiseGod for His mercy & steadfastness. One last thing, Israel, worshiping the stars and images they claim to have made—there really is nothing new under the sun in humanity. “Did not my hand make all these things?” v.50
“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 1:9. Our culture today is filled with “Stephen Stonings”, euphemistically speaking; destroying people we don’t agree with via social media and other means. The hatred, anger and vitriol… well sometimes it’s beyond my comprehension and I in turn, harbor ugliness toward those who perpetuate these actions. Dear Stephen, so infused with Jesus in his spirit, pours out forgiveness, grace to his attackers and welcomes his journey home to Our Father’s arms. I will think of Stephen’s example today, praying that mercy and God’s grace pours out of me, whether I feel it or not. A prayer request: I’ve been struggling with an ongoing health issue and my insurance co. is dragging its feet in approving an mri that my doctor really needs for diagnosis and treatment. They have sent an appeal on my behalf and waiting for the answer. I’ll have the MRI one way or another: either paid for by my insurance or by me, so please pray for a swift resolution to this issue, thanks.
Father let me always see my Lord Jesus at your right hand and feel your Holy Spirit in me. Amen
I love how God’s grace is woven all throughout Scripture and we got another review of Deuteronomy in today’s readings :) God wants EVERY heart to know Him and love Him, and He can use even horrible situations like this to bring people to Him. We don’t know for sure but I wonder if Stephen’s death made any of the Sanhedrin or maybe even any of the onlookers think and repent as we see the foreshadowing with Saul/Paul standing and watching.
Such a powerful chapter. I wish they would have let Stephen finish his sermon.
Love your thoughts Arina!