Daily Bread 2011 - Acts 7
Daily Bread 2011 – Acts 7
The Stoning of Stephen
54 When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
What Does This Mean?
Stephen went from being one of the Seven sent apart to serve the Hellenistic widows, to preaching this sermon before the Sanhedrin (the Jewish ruling council). In chapter 6, we see he performed great signs and wonders as led by the Holy Spirit. As he is brought before the Sanhedrin, Stephen recounts how God has worked throughout Israel’s history up until Solomon’s building a temple for the house of the Lord. But as Isaiah 66 had prophesied, God does not live in houses built by human hands.
Then Stephen turned and accused the leaders of resisting the Holy Spirit and killing not only those who prophesied about the Righteous One, but also him as well. As Stephen became one of the first martyrs (witnesses) in the church and gave his life up he saw a vision, which only made his accusers even more mad. Eventually they dragged him out of the city and stoned him. As Stephen died following the model of Jesus he uttered, “Lord do not hold this sin against them.” We also see that Saul, later to become the apostle Paul, was a part of the mob group. In the next chapter verse 1 says, “And Saul approved their killing of him.”
What Does This Mean For Us?
It is often hard to imagine whether we would have the courage to give a witness for our faith if our life was on the line like Stephen’s. Clearly he relied on the power of the Holy Spirit, and yet he still chose to remain faithful unto death, even forgiving those who carried out his stoning. While we will not likely face this experience in our lifetimes, what might be some other ways we choose to be a witness for God’s Story?
Importantly our witness as to God’s Story begins with how God has worked in our lives. As we experience God’s love through Jesus Christ, we also receive the power of the Holy Spirit. As we are called to give an account of what we believe (even at a dinner party), the same Holy Spirit that gave Stephen the faith, courage and words to speak to accusers, will give us the words to say. Jesus gives us courage to take a stand for you when we are called to give an account for the hope that is within us.
Heavenly Father give us courage to love you not only when many are on our side, but also when we are confronted by those who don’t know you. Send Your Spirit to help us to do that which we can only do by Your power. Amen.
The Stoning of Stephen
54 When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
What Does This Mean?
Stephen went from being one of the Seven sent apart to serve the Hellenistic widows, to preaching this sermon before the Sanhedrin (the Jewish ruling council). In chapter 6, we see he performed great signs and wonders as led by the Holy Spirit. As he is brought before the Sanhedrin, Stephen recounts how God has worked throughout Israel’s history up until Solomon’s building a temple for the house of the Lord. But as Isaiah 66 had prophesied, God does not live in houses built by human hands.
Then Stephen turned and accused the leaders of resisting the Holy Spirit and killing not only those who prophesied about the Righteous One, but also him as well. As Stephen became one of the first martyrs (witnesses) in the church and gave his life up he saw a vision, which only made his accusers even more mad. Eventually they dragged him out of the city and stoned him. As Stephen died following the model of Jesus he uttered, “Lord do not hold this sin against them.” We also see that Saul, later to become the apostle Paul, was a part of the mob group. In the next chapter verse 1 says, “And Saul approved their killing of him.”
What Does This Mean For Us?
It is often hard to imagine whether we would have the courage to give a witness for our faith if our life was on the line like Stephen’s. Clearly he relied on the power of the Holy Spirit, and yet he still chose to remain faithful unto death, even forgiving those who carried out his stoning. While we will not likely face this experience in our lifetimes, what might be some other ways we choose to be a witness for God’s Story?
Importantly our witness as to God’s Story begins with how God has worked in our lives. As we experience God’s love through Jesus Christ, we also receive the power of the Holy Spirit. As we are called to give an account of what we believe (even at a dinner party), the same Holy Spirit that gave Stephen the faith, courage and words to speak to accusers, will give us the words to say. Jesus gives us courage to take a stand for you when we are called to give an account for the hope that is within us.
Heavenly Father give us courage to love you not only when many are on our side, but also when we are confronted by those who don’t know you. Send Your Spirit to help us to do that which we can only do by Your power. Amen.
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