SCRIPTURE: Acts 7:54-60
54 When they 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 clothes 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.
OBSERVATION:
When Stephen finished speaking, the crowd was angry at him. But Stephen, who was filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the Glory of God with Jesus standing to the right of the Father. As he looked up he said, “Look, I see heaven and Jesus is standing on the right hand of God.” When he said this the crowd covered their ears, screaming as loud as the possibly could. Then they charged him and dragged him out of the city and began to throw stones at him. The crowd laid their clothes at the feet of a man named Saul. As they were throwing stones at Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” He then fell down on his hands and knees and cried out, “Lord, forgive them of this sin.” After saying this he died.
APPLICATION:
There are many tragedies that happen in the Bible, but few are more tragic than the stoning of Stephen. Stephen was a powerful man of God, filled with the Holy Spirit and on fire for Jesus. He challenged the religious people of his time and died for his faith in Christ.
What amazes me the most is how he did not curse them or condemn them in anyway, but he forgave them. He still showed compassion and love for them. Only someone fully in Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit could accomplish this in this kind of trial.
Now it is time for a dose of reality. The question I have to ask myself is, am I to that point? I would like to say that I am but then I would not only be lying to God, but I would be lying to myself. Am I closer this year than last year? Yes, but I am still not to the point where I know that I could forgive people while they are killing me. I know that I still need to work on loving people more. And how can I do that? By loving God even more. In order to forgive I have to first love. And I will admit that I don’t love people all the time.
PRAYER:
Father, I do love you. You know that I love you, but you also know that I still have a tendency to harbor anger at people in my heart. I have a long way to go in learning how you are able to fully love us even though we hurt you. I am stronger in you but I still have a journey ahead of me. Only when I truly put away the thoughts of my carnal man and operate in your wisdom can I love people, the way you love me. I know I will get there but I can’t do it without you. Thank you Father for teaching me patience and love. In the name of Jesus. Amen.