Steven Arrested and Stoned.

God's Urgent Call
Calling of Prophets

Called to Witness

Acts 6:8-15, 7:54-60 The Message

8-10 Stephen, brimming with God’s grace and energy, was doing wonderful things among the people, unmistakable signs that God was among them. But then some men from the meeting place whose membership was made up of freed slaves, Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and some others from Cilicia and Asia, went up against him trying to argue him down. But they were no match for his wisdom and spirit when he spoke.
11 So in secret they bribed men to lie: “We heard him cursing Moses and God.”
12-14 That stirred up the people, the religious leaders, and religion scholars. They grabbed Stephen and took him before the High Council. They put forward their bribed witnesses to testify: “This man talks nonstop against this Holy Place and God’s Law. We even heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth would tear this place down and throw out all the customs Moses gave us.”
15 As all those who sat on the High Council looked at Stephen, they found they couldn’t take their eyes off him—his face was like the face of an angel!
54-56 At that point they went wild, a rioting mob of catcalls and whistles and invective. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, hardly noticed—he only had eyes for God, whom he saw in all his glory with Jesus standing at his side. He said, “Oh! I see heaven wide open and the Son of Man standing at God’s side!”
57-58 Yelling and hissing, the mob drowned him out. Now in full stampede, they dragged him out of town and pelted him with rocks. The ringleaders took off their coats and asked a young man named Saul to watch them.
59-60 As the rocks rained down, Stephen prayed, “Master Jesus, take my life.” Then he knelt down, praying loud enough for everyone to hear, “Master, don’t blame them for this sin”—his last words. Then he died.

For Reflection

Sometimes the truth in the "Good News," is threatening.  And sometimes people who believe that they are defending God are seduced by the fear of change. Some will bear false witness and turn others against the Gospel and feel fully justified.  But no matter how many are falsely accused, how often trodden under, in spite of violent attempts to quench the flames of those who would witness to the living God, God flourishes.  Mercy, forgiveness, and God's justice persists.  Love conquers fear.  Love trumps hate. God's overture to live in God's household is never withdrawn, even to those who persecute God.

Pray

Pray prayers of praise to the sovereign God.  Pray prayers of thanksgiving.  Pray prayers of lament.  Pray prayers of intercession.  Make your life a living prayer.