Stephen, the first martyr (1) - Proposed reading : Acts 6.5 to 7. 60

Saturday April 10, 2021

But Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, stared up to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. He said : I see heaven open and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God. Acts 7,55,56

Stephen, the first martyr (1) - Proposed reading : Acts 6.5 to 7. 60

Stephen's appearance in the Bible is brief, but brilliant. As soon as his name is given, he is presented as "a man full of faith and filled with the Holy Spirit". He had "a good testimony" among the believers. When the congregation in Jerusalem had to entrust an important service to a few good men, Stephen was chosen. He was "full of grace and power," and God worked mightily by his means.

His zeal met with strong opposition and he was charged with blasphemy in the Jewish court. But there, the judges were struck by his radiance and, as they stared at him, they saw "like an angel's face". They gave him the floor, but he didn't really try to defend himself. He simply responded to the points on which he was accused, citing the Old Testament to show how it proclaimed Jesus Christ.

Stephen was then more direct : he told his judges that they had put the "Just" to death and that it was they who did not keep the Law. Then their hatred breaks out and they gnash their teeth. But Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, sees the glory of God and Jesus in heaven. They rush at him, bring him out of Jerusalem and stone him. Étienne looks more and more like his Master. He prays : "Lord Jesus, welcome my spirit", then kneels down and asks again: "Lord, do not burden them with this sin !". His life leaves him as gently : "He fell asleep", the text tells us.

Source (The Good Seed)