Last time we discovered that Stephen had been falsely accused. An opportunity
was given to him when the high priest asked him if these charges were true. He
testified with vigor, not intimated at all. Everyone was listening in awe until
he declared: "You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still
uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy
Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even
killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have
betrayed and murdered him - you who have received the law that was given through
angels but have not obeyed it." (Acts 7:51-53, NIV2)
The crowd became furious; however, Stephen was bathing in peace, his face
shining. After all, he had experienced fully the presence of the Holy Spirit
within him. His focus had been constantly on the Risen One. As he lifted his
eyes up to heaven, he saw the glory of God, Jesus standing on the right hand of
God. Innocently, he declared: "Look…I see heaven open and the Son of Man
standing at the right hand of God." (Acts 7:56, NIV2)
The mob was far from being appeased. It's no wonder, as an angry mob cannot
stand the presence of God: "At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the
top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and
began to stone him." (Acts 7:57-58a, NIV2)
While being stoned, Stephen was still at peace. He prayed out loud, the way
Jesus would do: "While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, 'Lord Jesus,
receive my spirit.' 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." (Acts 7:60,
NIV2) Our first Christian martyr.
We have never been guaranteed an easy life. Jesus promised us that He would
always be with us, no matter what our circumstances (See Matthew 28:20), just as
He was with Stephen until the end.
Jesus also promised a peace beyond understanding. This, too, Stephen experienced
fully, even while he was being stoned: "I have told you these things, so that in
me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I
have overcome the world." (John 16:33, NIV2)
No matter when or why we are accused, we can rely on our Father's Holy Spirit to
guide us: "But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to
say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you
speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. "(Matt 10:19-20,
NIV2) This, too, Stephen experienced. He never had to worry about what to say!
Some may say, "What a waste!" Stephen could have been a bit more diplomatic.
However, when God's Spirit fills us to overflowing, no one can ever stop us from
being who we are: Followers of the Most High.
All of this was not for naught. Someone in this nasty mob had witnessed what had
happened. He, too, was vigorously opposed to the cause, he even persecuted
Christians with vigor. That day, however, he witnessed something he had never
seen before: Someone being martyred while remaining completely at peace. That
sure must have baffled him: "The witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a
young man named Saul." (Acts 7:58, NIV2) It laid a foundation for what was soon
was to come: a direct encounter with the Risen One. He ended up being the most
vigorous witness of the One named Jesus.
Some among us may be quite fearful to face death. This doesn't have to be the
case. In one moment, we find ourselves in a place that is way more beautiful
than anything we have seen on earth. We find ourselves welcomed by the Risen
One, the One who paid the price for our salvation. Imagine the peace and love
that we will encounter in that blink of a moment: "I consider that our present
sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."
(Rom 8:18, NIV2)
Many have experienced this. The night of April 8/9, 1917, the landscape was
blanketed with snow. Still the soldiers of the 1/4th Battalion Seaforth
Highlanders had a mission: An offensive attack against the Germans in Arras. As
they were marching on, the Lieutenant Colonel J.S. Uthank had an unusual
encounter. As he crossed the German second line trenches, he discovered two
Seaforth Highlanders who had definitively been killed by the blast of an
overhead shell. One of them was found in the kneeling position with his New
Testament in his hand, while the other soldier was in a sitting position with
his arms outstretched to heaven. Even in death they were able to testify. After
all, Jesus was the source of their comfort. The Lieutenant Colonel would never
forget what he had seen.
Rob Chaffart
May we always remember to pray fervently for our fellow believers who are facing
persecution. We have it easy here in the Western world. Any opposition here is
child's play compared to what happens in other parts of our world.
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