Stephen
Stephen was the first martyr of the church. He was also one of the first seven deacons ordained in the church. He not only served the tables, he was a great orator. He argued with the Jews that Jesus was the expected Messiah. The Messiah was expected to appear in His temple at any moment in Stephen’s time. When John the Baptist came on the scene, he was thought to be the Messiah. He denied the claim and pointed to Jesus as the Messiah. But Jesus was rejected. However, Jesus fulfilled the prophesies that governed the coming of the Messiah. Stephen tried to prove from Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah, but, his opponents did not know how to play fair. They conspired against him, and lied about his teachings.
He was brought before the Sanhendrin to defend himself against false accusers. This was enough to annoy anyone.
Stephen did not finish his defense. Stones started coming from every quarter, and the Sanhedrin, who sat on the seat of Moses, did not lift a finger to stop it. They looked on. Possibly, they expected it. They wanted to get rid of him. What a mock trial with a man’s life! As stones were hurled at him, thoughts of dying must have raced through his mind. He was facing his accusers and his murderers. Evil thoughts should have entered his heart and anger should have followed. Instead, Stephen focused on Jesus, whom he saw at the right hand of God. He knew the Holy Spirit was there to strengthen him. The Bible says He was full of the Holy Spirit. He needed the strength of the Holy Spirit to face his last moments with forgiveness and love even for his enemies.
His next prayer was that God should not lay the charge to their account. “And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord; lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep” (Acts 7:60). He died praying for his offenders and his murderers. He died in spite of the injustice of the whole scenario. Prayer is not just a way to forgive, but it is in itself a sign of forgiveness.
I believe that the sight of Jesus must have filled his heart with great love for his accusers. No wonder. Stephen followed the example of Jesus, who also prayed for his murders. The more we see Jesus, the more we become like Him. A time is coming, when He shall appear, and then we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
All these people were human beings like us. None were heavenly angels without human feelings. They were offended - perhaps more than any of us today. Yet they forgave. David was in his twenties or thirties when Saul came after him. Joseph was a teenager when he was sold into slavery. Although we do not know the age of Stephen, he could not have been an old man because of the rigor of overseeing the daily distribution of food. Moreover, since the Lord rose from the dead and ascended to heaven less than nine years earlier, Stephen could have been a relatively young believer.
All these people forgave. We too can forgive. They did not take the law into their own hands. Neither should we. They showed love and compassion to their offenders. We too, by God’s grace, can do the same. This is the heart of God. We too should want to have that heart. |
