December 4, 2008 - Acts 7:55

“But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” Acts 7:55.
Stephen had finished his statement before the Sanhedrin, charging the Jewish leadership with the killing of the Messiah. Under the influence of the Holy Spirit, he looked up towards heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus, his Master, standing at the Father’s right hand. He even told the listening crowd, probably pointing towards the vision, that he saw Jesus standing at God’s right hand.
It is very significant in Stephen’s vision that Jesus is standing at God’s right hand, which was the position of ultimate authority. Here was truly the King of all kings in His rightful place of authority. Notice that, in the vision, Jesus is standing. It is interesting to note that when Jesus ascended to heaven, it is said that He sat at the right hand of God, presumably on a throne. Here in this vision, Jesus is standing at His position of authority, the right hand of God. I believe that He is standing in honor of the one – Stephen – who stood boldly for Him. Stephen laid down his life in service to Jesus and His kingdom here on earth, and Jesus is honoring him by standing up for him in heaven.
I don’t know about you, but I get chills thinking about Jesus’ personal honoring of Stephen. But that personal honoring came as a result of Stephen’s paying the ultimate price of laying his life on the line for Jesus. Not all of us are called to pay this kind of price, yet we are called to stand up for Jesus and His kingdom. We are called to love and to obedience for His kingdom’s sake.
Questions to consider: Are you standing up for Jesus? What does that look like in your daily life? How would you like to have a vision of Jesus standing up for you? What would it take for that to happen?
Prayer: Father, I desire to serve You in such a way that honors You. Please give me the ability to match my desire so that I will do all that I can to serve You. Amen.