Reading
SAA Notes
Stephen had everyone with him until he came to the conclusion of his discourse in verses 51-53. It is Stephen’s word of testimony in verse 56 that infuriates the mob. Saul (later the Apostle Paul) is unmoved by these words at this point – yet they burnt themselves on his memory. Paul is presumably Luke’s source.
SJA Notes
* Saviour God, thank You for Your word. Please write it on our hearts, that we might burn with a holy fire to be Your people in spirit and in truth.
“But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’ But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him.”
Stephen travels to glory with his eyes on his King, Jesus.
Look at the words he speaks that create such a violent response from the false-religion church leadership,
“Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
In Matthew 26 we read a very similar even, as Jesus responds to those who had taken Him by force,
“But I tell you, from now on you will see the son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
What happens to Jesus (the King of kings) when He speaks these words
“Then the high priest tore his robes … Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, …”
We see a wicked symmetry in the response. A vision of Jesus, the Son of Man, in His right place, on the throne next to His Father.
Rage and anger, violence and mob-mentality.
Murder.
Stephen fixed his eyes on Jesus, even amidst the sharp and jagged rocks being launched at him, pounding him again and again until he died.
Let us feel this exhortation to have the same faithfulness to our saviour, day in-and-out, whether living (for Christ) or dying (for gain)!
* Father God,
Please help us fix our eyes on Jesus today.
Please help us to reflect You to those around us.
May we shine Your light to those around us as Stephen did.
May we see Jesus!
Amen.