Stephen's Stoning

Acts 7:59-60

And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

After being questioned Stephen was given a chance to speak. [ which is the entire chapter] He began by recounting the history of Israel beginning with Abraham and ending with the wilderness walk when God was with them in the tent of witness. Even though the tabernacle was inhabited by God, it was not truly the house of God. Stephen then quoted  Is. 66:1-2, 

Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest? Did not my hand make all these things?

Thus far Stephen had not ruffled too many feathers. but his next statements did. He proceeded using OT language, in fact actually revealing to them that the very same things that their fathers had done, they were now doing again. 

 "You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, and you received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it. 

What an horrible indictment! This did not set well with the people at all. They were enraged, grinding their teeth. But in spite of the response, Stephen, filled with the Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and the resurrected Jesus at His side. It was one thing for Stephen to see this, but quite another for him to say it out loud. But he did, and the response was explosive. Screaming, the people grabbed him and took him out of the city where they stoned him. 

And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

What a scene! I wonder if there were people gathered to watch. Was it the excitement of the day? Or did it strike fear in the hearts of some? One person was there whose name was Saul. They threw Stephen's garments at His feet. And chapter 8;1 says, And Saul approved of the execution. 

Such a scene of violence and anger seems like it is still happening today. Violence is everywhere, but worse than the anger and hatred, is the rejection of God. Here all these years later, people are still stiff-necked, uncircumcised in heart and ear, and resisting the Spirit. Satan has his way with the hearts of so many people. And as horrible as Stephen's stoning was, people are being decapitated, stolen, sold into slavery, murdered, and using terrorist tactics all in the name of religion. The world is so in need of Jesus, but will they listen?

Father,

I ask that Your grace my heart will remain soft to You and obedient to all You say. Help me to share You with those You have put in my life.

In Jesus name,

Amen