Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
St. Stephen's Day
Shannon Thomas
Long Island MTC, NY
59 While they were stoning
Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”60 Then he knelt down and
cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he
had said this, he died.
This passage begins by portraying Stephen’s courage in being able to convict the people of their past which they were unwilling to hear. However, once the crowd heard this they were furious, covered their eyes and rushed at Stephen. Stephen did not compare to the divinity of Jesus, but the fact that he was filled with the Holy Spirit enabled him to withstand the persecution just as Jesus had. Many people believe that following Christ guarantees one of prosperity and success when it’s in fact the opposite. When one follows Jesus, what he or she will receive in return is Christ Himself; but is that enough for many of us?
We often wonder, how can I remain faithful to God when I’m facing so much temptation and persecution? We fail to realize that it is not ourselves who have the strength to resist worldly troubles but rather the Spirit who allows us to do so. This is how Stephen, despite the fact that he was about to be stoned, was able to fix his eyes on God and say, “Look,’ he said, ‘I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’” (verse 56). In the midst of everything, Stephen was able to pray for forgiveness on behalf of his persecutors and focus on the glory of his God.
How often are we afraid of being the voice of reason? What exactly are we expecting when we say that we want to follow Christ? Matthew 16: 24-25 reads, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” Stephen’s example demands the utmost forms of self-denial and dedication to Christ. We live in a capitalistic society that is obsessed with projection one’s wealth, power and influence. Self-denial demands the most now more than ever due to this attitude. Stephen’s life encourages us to turn against the tide and sacrifice everything in order to live for the glory of God and the growth of his kingdom.
This passage begins by portraying Stephen’s courage in being able to convict the people of their past which they were unwilling to hear. However, once the crowd heard this they were furious, covered their eyes and rushed at Stephen. Stephen did not compare to the divinity of Jesus, but the fact that he was filled with the Holy Spirit enabled him to withstand the persecution just as Jesus had. Many people believe that following Christ guarantees one of prosperity and success when it’s in fact the opposite. When one follows Jesus, what he or she will receive in return is Christ Himself; but is that enough for many of us?
We often wonder, how can I remain faithful to God when I’m facing so much temptation and persecution? We fail to realize that it is not ourselves who have the strength to resist worldly troubles but rather the Spirit who allows us to do so. This is how Stephen, despite the fact that he was about to be stoned, was able to fix his eyes on God and say, “Look,’ he said, ‘I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’” (verse 56). In the midst of everything, Stephen was able to pray for forgiveness on behalf of his persecutors and focus on the glory of his God.
How often are we afraid of being the voice of reason? What exactly are we expecting when we say that we want to follow Christ? Matthew 16: 24-25 reads, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” Stephen’s example demands the utmost forms of self-denial and dedication to Christ. We live in a capitalistic society that is obsessed with projection one’s wealth, power and influence. Self-denial demands the most now more than ever due to this attitude. Stephen’s life encourages us to turn against the tide and sacrifice everything in order to live for the glory of God and the growth of his kingdom.
PRAYER
Father, help us to deny
ourselves and move past the forces of the world that compel us to exalt
ourselves. Instill in us the desire to live for your glory in this world. Thank
you for the life and blessings you have given us and we pray that you will empower
us to use them for your glory and your kingdom. Amen
THOUGHT
FOR THE DAY:
If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)
If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)