Journey Through The Bible
     Old Testament Reading: Exodus 25-27
     New Testament Reading: Acts 7

Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven. He saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. He said, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” (Acts 7: 55-56).

Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, was granted access to see into the very courts of Heaven. There he saw the glory of God the Father and Jesus standing at His right hand. Throughout the Bible, Jesus is described as seated at God’s right hand. But here He stands up to welcome the first Christian martyr and help His suffering servant into Heaven.

From the description that Luke gives, it is quite clear the stoning of Stephen was not an execution as the result of a due process of the law. The Romans had forbidden the Jews from executing the death penalty without their permission. This same Sanhedrin sought permission from Pontius Pilate to have Jesus crucified only a few years earlier. However, now their rage and anger moved them to act without thought or reason, and was themselves guilty of breaking the law in stoning Stephen.

Throughout this story, we see the contrast between the hostile, Christ-hating world of the Jews, and the gentle, loving soul of Stephen. There is a stark contrast between Stephen and the Sanhedrin. It’s really the difference between heaven and hell.
 ~ Stephen is Filled with the Spirit of God; they are filled with hatred.
 ~ Stephen is full of love; they are full of anger.
 ~ Stephen is serene and calm; they are furious and hostile.
 ~ Stephen is given spiritual sight to see into Heaven; they are marked by spiritual blindness.
 ~ Steven has in mind eternal life; all they have in mind is death.

Despite the violence of the crowd, Stephen got in the last word. With his final breath, he prayed for the Lord to receive his spirit and to forgive those who were persecuting him. His words remind us of Jesus’ words on the cross “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)

Stephen pulls himself up under the crushing stones into a kneeling position to pray. He doesn’t pray for the Lord to stop them; he doesn’t pray to be saved from the torment of stoning. Instead, Stephen prayed for forgiveness for those who condemned him. What a gentle spirit he had. What love and compassion Stephen exhibited. 

His courageous and gracious words must have left a lasting impression on the young man Saul as he stood by guarding the robes of Stephen’s murders. Later, he would become the Apostle Paul and he faced his own mobs and persecution with grace. You never know who your words will influence and strengthen in their times of trials.