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But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’ But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he died.(Acts 7:55-60)
This is a sad passage. The first Deacon in the Bible is Stephen, chosen to serve God through a servant ministry earlier in chapter 6 because he was "a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit" (6:5). It is said that Stephen, "full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people." (6:8) And it was from his serving God so well that some came to dislike him and brought false charges against him (sound familiar? Think Jesus...). He was brought to trial, complete with false witnesses with the charge, "This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses handed to us." (6:13-14). Stephen was given the opportunity to speak and he shared his heart in a long sermon basically accusing those holding the trial of being unfaithful to God. He is found guilty and ordered stoned to death.
You and I have been in situations where we were misunderstood and it may have not helped to have had people affirming the opposite view of us. Did we see the glory of God as did Stephen? Stephen was so connected to God in his life, praying, worshiping, serving, loving; that even in the final moments of this terrible way to die, he was filled with the Holy Spirit, gazed into the sky and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. His death concluded the beautiful sermon he shared with the people. Sad to read that the people who could have been changed by these powerful words instead closed their ears and rushed together to finish the task of killing him. There is a young man present for this death and it was Saul, who was in charge of watching the coats of these murderers. Stephen's last words were, in a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them."
We always have a chance to give witness to the glory of God and Jesus in our lives. The pain or shock of some situations may not lead us there, but it should. Whether we are in the fullness of life, or in the pit of despair, God is present and we can cry out to God and know that our prayer will be heard and we can give witness to God and God's glory in our midst. Stephen's witness of heaven opened and God and Jesus present there let him know that he was going there; and as he did, he asked that God forgive those who killed him. A faithful witness, especially when not expected, brings glory to God. And as was the case with young Saul, we know how his story ended, as the greatest evangelist of Jesus Christ to the known world in his time. We don't know if Saul was one who closed his ears, but we do know later, he opened his heart as his eyes were closed, to receive Jesus as his Lord and Savior.
PRAYER: Loving God, grant me the power and peace of Your Holy Spirit to live a life that gives glory to You. Share with me the faithful witness that blesses others even as they close their ears to You. May my heart be open to receive and share Your love; this I pray in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord. Bring your faithful witness to life today!
Eradio Valverde
