The stoning of Stephen: God stands

I deleted my first blog, because after further research, I believe there were some historical inaccuracies. As I said in the beginning of my first post, just in case anyone reads these thoughts on my studies, I will attempt not to deviate from scripture in any way, shape, or form. The Bible gives many warnings against false teachings, and I take those seriously. (I tend to believe God means what He says :P )


This morning, the passage I will be commenting on is in Acts, chapter 7. Specifically, verse 55. To set the scene: Jesus has been crucified, died, and has risen again from the dead. He has appeared to his disciples and numerous other people. He was taken back to heaven, and the Holy Spirit descended to dwell on the earth in the hearts of men who believed. Stephen was one of these men, and is described as 'a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit (5) As Stephen went out and 'did great wonders and miraculous signs' (8), opposition against him rose. Those in power tend to dislike it when someone else displays more power than they have. And just like today, it seems the people in power are so afraid of a threat to that power, they will use any means necessary to remove it. Back to the story...these men in power secretly took aside a few people, and talked them into giving false testimony against Stephen. What I find interesting here is that when they arrested him and brought him to trial, they looked at him and 'saw that his face was like the face of an angel' (15). Now I don't know about you, but if I glance over at a person on trial, and he suddenly looks like an angel, I'd be tempted to rethink what I was about to do. But not these hard-hearted people.

They asked Stephen about the charges. He answered in such a way, that there was no arguing against him. But did his words of wisdom have any affect? Of course not. As it usually goes, when fools are faced with a truth they can't refute, they get even angrier. They were so angry, they 'gnashed their teeth at him' (54).

Now here comes the awesome part. Stephen, knowing he's about to die, looks up. He sees Jesus STANDING at the right hand of God (55). In every other text I've read in the Bible, Jesus is SITTING at the right hand of God. What a sight that must have been!! When I read this, I think of occasions when I've stood for someone. The most common is when we give someone a 'standing ovation' for a job well done. How powerful to see the son of God stand up in approval of a job well done!!

As they drag Stephen out to stone him, he prays. And not just any old prayer. He prays for the people that are killing him.

I got numerous blessings from this reading, but here is the summary, spoken to my heart: Just because you are a Christian, does not mean you will be free from suffering. But Jesus sees. He knows how it feels. And He stands with you, to receive you with open arms for a job well done.