Stephen Martyred
Open Your Bible
Acts 7:1-60, Genesis 15:13-14, Deuteronomy 18:15
BY Claire Gibson
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.
53 thoughts on "Stephen Martyred"
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Dear Lord, please help me to have a faith like Stephen. To remember you and bring glory to you in the face of fear of the everyday, let alone fear of death.
Amen ❤️ -
Dear Lord, please help me to have a faith like Stephen. To remember you and bring glory to you in the face of fear of the everyday, let alone fear of death.
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Today’s reading was so powerful! I pray that I would have the strength and faith to handle persecution like Stephen. I pray that when I am suffering for Christ’s sake, I would keep looking at Jesus.
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Wow. Blown away by today’s reading. God, that I might have the same faith and committed obedience to You as Stephen did. That is my prayer, and the deepest desire of my heart.
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Stephen’s exampl of faith is amazing
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LEXI B – Praise Indeed!! We prayed long ago that whether or not you yourself acquired the “business knowledge” you need that you would have people / resources to support you! Yay!
DOROTHY, I agree “I just don’t know”…I want to believe that if it were my physical death, I would accept it (although hard to believe I would pray for those responsible) but my bigger “I just don’t know” is those who threaten to ‘kill me’ in small ways, in my daily life, threatening my ability to find peace / breath.
I am praying for little FINLEY.
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Could I ask God to forgive someone who is persecuting me, either physical, emotional, or even spiritual? I want to say yes but I just don’t know. I just don’t know. My faith is strong and has gotten me through a lot but being stoned or killed in any way for my faith, I just don’t know.
Lord God help me to strong and to spread the message of Your Son, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit where ever I go. Help me to not falter when the going gets tough. Thank You for sending Your One and Only Son to die for me so that I may eternal life. I PRAISE Your Name and the Name of Your Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Sisters, Finley, the little girl I care for is having eye surgery today. It will be an outpatient surgery. Please pray everything turns out okay.
Be blessed and praise the Lord sisters. -
I only have a few minutes but I had to comment and thank everyone for their insightful comments! I LOvE the verse where it describes Stephen looking up into heaven, I believe in the Greek the word is attenizo- a feeling of attentively looking, being transfixed by what you are looking at, not a mere glancing up. Stephen was staring at Jesus and pouring all his focus on Him and Jesus was standing! In heaven for him. I believe most other times He is described at sitting at the right hand of God. So. Incredible you guys!!! I am continuing in prayer for you and thank you for your prayers on my behalf !
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