Yesterday (Sunday) I was very excited to share with you what I had learned about the first Christian martyr, Stephen. He was elected/appointed to serve as a deacon (servant) by the early church. The widows who were not native to Jerusalem or Judea were somehow being neglected in the daily distribution of food to the poor and needy.
Out of this problem came a brilliant solution. The church is always at its best when it responds to challenges with unified prayer and humble collaboration.
So in the midst of this amazing ministry, Stephen shines metaphorically and literally! We get the impression that Stephen was kind, compassionate and glowing with the radiant love of God. He not only served the needy, but prayed for the sick in the name of Jesus and great miracles were wrought. And on top of that, he was anointed to teach, preach and defend the Gospel. We know he was amazingly gifted when Luke tells him that the wisdom he articulated was irrefutable.
It’s interesting that opposition arose from the synagogue of “freedmen.” Apparently these were people who were former slaves and had either been able to purchase both their freedom and Roman citizenship or it had been granted to them through other means. Either way, it seems ironic to me that opposition to Stephen who is bringing “freedom” to so many comes from people who were once slaves. Of all people, one would think they would be the most sympathetic to the new Christian cause with its emphasis on lifting up the hurting and helping the disadvantaged.
I can say that after being involved in ministry in some manner for almost four decades, I have noticed a very troubling pattern among religious people who point angry condemning fingers at others for committing certain sins every time they get a platform to do so. I have now lost count how many times I have seen high profile pastors/evangelists, famous for “calling out” sexual sin in others, for instance, discovered to be engaging in the very same behavior, or worse, themselves. I have been so grieved to see so many variations on this theme in the Body of Christ in recent years. This kind of hypocrisy is not limited to a certain denomination. Rather, it is a very widespread problem, and the only thing these unfortunate events have in common is that they bring shame to the Gospel of Christ.
Even though Stephen’s life ended too soon, what an amazing life it was! Ponder the amazing impact his authentic witness for Jesus continues to have on the entire world.
The reason it is so inspiring is because Stephen lived and died imitating the Savior he loved so much.
If we consult the other Gospels, we find even more commonalities between Jesus and Stephen, but here are just a few that Luke specifically mentions; This list was compiled by Dr. Craig Keener of Asbury Theological Seminary.
1. Trial before the high priest/Sanhedrin (Mark 14:53; Luke 22:66; Acts 6:12
2. Heavenly Son of Man at the Father’s right hand (Mark 14:62; Luke 22:69;Acts 7:56)
3. Committal of spirit (only Luke 23:46; Acts 7:59)
4. Cry with a loud voice (Mark 15:34, 37; Luke 23:46; Acts 7:60)
5. Prayer for forgiveness of persecutors (only in Luke 23:34; Acts 7:60)
6. Burial by the righteous (Mark 15:43–47; Luke 23:50–56; Acts 8:2)
7. Righteous mourners (Luke 23:27; Acts 8:2;
To live like Jesus means to be willing to die like Him. These are sobering thoughts, but every Christian should answer the question in their hearts once and for all. If my life was hanging in the balance, would I deny Christ and live or boldly confess him and be martyred? Even more difficult, what if my family members or other loved ones were threatened or harmed to get me to deny Jesus…would I do it?
Clearly, everyone of us would fold under these immense pressures without the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Peter tells us that; 4:13 “But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”
PRN: Lord God in Heaven, we pray for our brothers and sisters here on earth that are suffering as Stephen did. Fill them to overflowing with your Holy Spirit and power to stand when everything around them is crumbling. Give them and their families supernatural grace to finish their race well and see you rising from your eternal throne to welcome them into their everlasting reward with you. In the name of Jesus, amen.
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