Acts Devotional Week 4

May 6, 2012

Acts 7:53-60

 “You deliberately disobeyed God’s law, even though you received it from the hands of angels.” The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen’s accusation, and they shook their fists at him in rage. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand. And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!” Then they put their hands over their ears and began shouting. They rushed at him and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul.  As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”  He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.

It took a lie to get him there.  They tried to publicly win an argument against him and failed.  So they resorted to deception, persuading others to make up stories so that he appeared to be a blasphemer and a man who spoke against God.  What they could not do honestly and openly the accomplished deceitfully and Stephen was brought to trial before the high council. 

False accusations were made and Stephen was asked if they were true.  He could have answered a number of different ways.  He could have defended himself and exposed the lies that put him in this difficult position.  He could have backed down from the message God gave him and disappeared.  He could have saved himself.  Instead he spoke the truth.  Stephen makes a powerful speech reminding the religious leaders of how God worked in their history.  Of how God changed things, protected them, and guided them.  He reminds them of the disobedience that caused these same people to persecute God’s messengers and prophets.  He makes the case that they are doing exactly that now.  Instead of answering the false accusation brought against him, Stephen brings an accusation against the council…and for this he died.

Stephen made a choice.  He chose to set aside his own wants, needs, and life to do the work of the Lord.  He was unmoved by the rage, the shouting, and the unwillingness to listen.  Stephen prayed for himself and asked forgiveness for those stoning him.  The religious leaders chose to pick up stones and kill rather than listen to the message God gave Stephen.  What choices do we make daily?  Do we cover our ears, get angry, and pick up stones when things don’t go as we like?  Or are we willing to do God’s will and trust Him with the rest?  Stephen’s was a catalyst in the early church.  Will we be the same here?