Acts 7:51 “You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers— 53 you who have received the law ordained by angels, yet have not kept it.”
54 On hearing this, the members of the Sanhedrin were enraged, and they gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently into 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, cried out in a loud voice, and rushed together at him. 58 They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59 While they were stoning him, Stephen appealed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Falling on his knees, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”
Greco Jewish believers from the Synagogue of the Freedmen had brought false charges against Stephen and he had been hauled before the Sanhedrin. When the priests asked Stephen if the charges against him were true, Stephen proceeded to give a summary of the history of the Jews, demonstrating why Jesus had to come as the Messiah. Then Stephen turned to his accusers and accused them instead, claiming that those conducting his trial had received the divine law but had refused to keep it.
It was at this point that Stephen’s trial became a mob scene. What is fascinating here is this: if these men were certain that Stephen was wrong, why did they have to cover their ears? What were they afraid of? The answer may lie in the observation that Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit. The men accusing Stephen were demonically influenced; the demons within them could not bear to hear any of the words of the Holy Spirit.
The mob dragged Stephen out of the city and found the biggest stones they could to throw at him. But Stephen still had the last word as he prayed for those who were killing him, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
Looking on at the back of the crowd was a proud young Jewish scholar named Saul, who was keeping track of the cloaks of those who were throwing the stones. Acts 8:1 says that “Saul was there, giving approval to Stephen’s death.”
Stephen died because he witnessed to the truth that Jesus was the long – awaited Messiah. And although it appeared that Stephen had lost, in reality Stephen won everything. Stephen was faithful to God. Stephen died forgiving his killers. And Stephen left a lasting example for his fellow believers and also for those responsible for his death. And there was one more thing: Stephen left a lasting example for that haughty young Jewish scholar who was so full of religious pride.
To the early Christians, Stephen’s death must have looked like the worst tragedy they could imagine. And this incident sparked a persecution of Christians, the likes of which nobody had seen before. Those Christians were probably asking God, “WHY, LORD?” and yet, God was preparing to do incredibly wonderful things and the central character for much of those great works was to be that haughty Jewish scholar.
Today we may find ourselves in the middle of chaos. Nothing is making sense, and we really wonder if God has abandoned us. But all the time that we are getting worried, God is working out His purposes. Have faith! Hang on! God is still on the throne and He is still in control.
PRAYER: Father God, we thank you that your purposes are sure and that nobody can stand against you. Lord, help us to trust where we cannot see and to hold on. We thank you for your grace, for your mercy, and for your love. In the mighty and precious Name of Jesus. Amen.
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