54 When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. Acts 7:54-58
The truth shared with those who do not want to hear it often turns them against us. It often unites them to do something about us. Stephen had shared his faith with the council because they were examining his teachings. He had been falsely accused of blasphemy against the Pharisaical system. When the members of synagogue from outside of the Jewish community couldn’t refute his wisdom they involve the Jewish council and the high priest. They brought in the first string to take on this upstart. Stephen wasn’t intimidated; as a matter of fact his face looked like the face of an angel. (Acts 6:10-15) Stephen used their well-known history to prove what He was saying about Christ. Starting with Abraham (their genetic boast), moving on to Joseph, then Moses (their religious authority boast), and ending with David and Solomon he explained how God had Christ in mind all along. With his face aglow with glory, he accused them of joining with the rebels of their history and described the vision of Christ standing at the right of God. That was the final indignity they could stand. Since they couldn’t refute his message because of its truth and his obvious anointing they killed him.
The phrase that catches me in all of this is that he saw, “the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” It was amazing to him as well as extremely offensive to the Pharisees. For them it was blasphemy that anyone would be next to God. Especially the man they had crucified. For Stephen and us it is a sign that Jesus still moves on our behalf. Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3, 1:13, 8:1, 10:12, & 12:2 all tell us that when Jesus raised from the dead He ascended into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. Yet Stephen sees Him standing. Jesus has risen to support Stephen in his witness. He is standing to receive Stephen into His kingdom. I am so thankful that Jesus is still active in our lives, even though He has finished the mission the Father gave Him.
Jesus thank You for standing with me when I tell Your story! Help me stand for You wherever people need to hear about what You have done for them.
Focused On Him,
Pastor Jason
No comments:
Post a Comment