Friday, April 14

Friday, April 14

Reading:  Acts 7:54-8:1

Key Verse: Acts 7:59–8:1 (NIV) — 59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. 1 And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

Devotional Thought:  Martyr, a technical term in second-century Christianity for those who showed allegiance to Christ by their death.

Stephen is the first recorded martyr of the Christian faith.  He pays the ultimate price and, in doing so, shows an incredible amount of grace.  His last words are words of forgiveness for his executioners. 

There’s an unfortunate break in our English Bible between the end of chapter 7 and the beginning of chapter 8.  Just a reminder, chapters and verses weren’t added until much later, so the original text of Acts would flow right from the martyrdom of Stephen to the introduction of Saul, the great persecutor of the church, who would become Paul, the great missionary of the church.  And I don’t think the connection between Stephen and Saul is coincidental.

Could it be that as Saul was watching this execution and observing the demeanor of Stephen that God was already acting on his heart?  Softening it just a little so he’d be receptive to the forthcoming revelation he’ll have on the road to Damascus? I think so.  I think Saul’s witnessing of Stephen’s great faith contributed to Saul’s future conversion.

People are watching.  They’re watching you.  Seeing how you respond under pressure.  Watching to see if you really practice what you preach.  And it could be that the way you respond under duress could be that little nudge for them to start considering the claims of Christianity. 

Action:  Take inventory of how you respond under pressure.  Do you maintain a character of grace and forgiveness around people who offend you?  Or do you compromise your character when nudged?  Your graceful behavior could be what people are really looking at.