“’Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him….’” Acts 7:52.
This is Stephen’s culminating moment before the Sanhedrin. He has recounted the history of his people, the Jews, and now has pointed to the past leadership’s guilt concerning their treatment of the prophets of old. And he doesn’t stop there. He presses on to charge the present Hebrew leadership with the betrayal and murder of the “Righteous One,” Jesus, the Messiah, the Chosen One from the Father. This is pretty heady stuff!
Stephen was originally brought before the Sanhedrin on charges of disturbing the peace, and now he is the one bringing charges against them! Consider the courage that this must have taken to stand up in front of this powerful body of people and leaders and to make the kind of charges that he made. Is it any wonder that these leaders reacted by throwing him out and having him stoned to death immediately for his bold comments.
I am amazed at Stephen’s courage. I don’t know if it was the smartest tactic to put on such a full-frontal verbal assault, but he was courageous. Sometimes what would appear to be the “smartest” tactic may not be the correct one. Stephen’s boldness and courage was as a result of his total commitment and passion to follow after Jesus, his Lord and Master. While it was certainly not the safe way out, Stephen stood whole-heartedly for his Master, and he paid the ultimate price, at least in this life, for it.
Questions to consider: Have you ever been in a position where courage and boldness were required of you? What was that like, and how did you do? Today, are you seeking the “safer” or “smarter” tactic, or are you willing to risk it for Jesus’ sake?
Prayer: Father, give me a renewed boldness and courage to stand as Your beacon among the dark world that I walk. Help me to be Your light and salt in our dark and decaying world. Amen.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
November 13, 2008 - Acts 7:51
“’You stiffed-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit!’” Acts 7:51.
Stephen cuts to the heart, charging his Hebrew leadership audience with resistance and disobedience to the Holy Spirit. He really grabs their attention with his claim that, even though they had been physically circumcised, their hearts and ears had not. In effect, he was saying that they were spiritual rebels who were not under God’s authority in any way. In fact, they were hostile to God, working against God’s purposes. This is really bold stuff!! Here Stephen is, standing in front of the most powerful gathering of leaders in all of Israel at his time and, remember, they are, already, not happy with him, challenging them – charging them – with turning against God.
Yet, as I ponder on this charge, I must admit that there are times when I act like the people that Stephen is confronting. I know that, like the Pharisees, I start thinking that I am “better” than some other people or that I need to keep myself “apart” from those “sinners”, after all, I need to be safe, “spiritual,” and “holy.” While I am not sure that I “always resist the Holy Spirit,” I know that there are times when I do, and probably many more than I would care to admit!
When I read this verse, I am challenged to ask God if there be any “stiff-necked-ness” within me; to ask if my heart and ears are “uncircumcised”. It is my desire to be clay – workable, moldable clay – in my Potter’s hands.
Questions to consider: Can you relate to being “stiff-necked” or “uncircumcised”, as these people were? What does that look like in your life? What was Jesus’ example? What do you desire to be?
Prayer: Father, I confess that there are times, mostly many more than I am aware of, when I act just like the people that Stephen is confronting? Please forgive me for my be stiffed-necked and uncircumcised; resisting Your Holy Spirit’s activity in my life? Give me a heart and ears to recognize You and to follow after You. Amen.
Stephen cuts to the heart, charging his Hebrew leadership audience with resistance and disobedience to the Holy Spirit. He really grabs their attention with his claim that, even though they had been physically circumcised, their hearts and ears had not. In effect, he was saying that they were spiritual rebels who were not under God’s authority in any way. In fact, they were hostile to God, working against God’s purposes. This is really bold stuff!! Here Stephen is, standing in front of the most powerful gathering of leaders in all of Israel at his time and, remember, they are, already, not happy with him, challenging them – charging them – with turning against God.
Yet, as I ponder on this charge, I must admit that there are times when I act like the people that Stephen is confronting. I know that, like the Pharisees, I start thinking that I am “better” than some other people or that I need to keep myself “apart” from those “sinners”, after all, I need to be safe, “spiritual,” and “holy.” While I am not sure that I “always resist the Holy Spirit,” I know that there are times when I do, and probably many more than I would care to admit!
When I read this verse, I am challenged to ask God if there be any “stiff-necked-ness” within me; to ask if my heart and ears are “uncircumcised”. It is my desire to be clay – workable, moldable clay – in my Potter’s hands.
Questions to consider: Can you relate to being “stiff-necked” or “uncircumcised”, as these people were? What does that look like in your life? What was Jesus’ example? What do you desire to be?
Prayer: Father, I confess that there are times, mostly many more than I am aware of, when I act just like the people that Stephen is confronting? Please forgive me for my be stiffed-necked and uncircumcised; resisting Your Holy Spirit’s activity in my life? Give me a heart and ears to recognize You and to follow after You. Amen.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
November 6, 2008 - Acts 7:48-49a
“’However, the Most High does not live in houses made by men. As the prophet says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me?”’” Acts 7:48-49a.
Stephen retells the Hebrew history from the establishing of the tabernacle, under Moses, up through the building of the Temple in Jerusalem, under Solomon. As he was standing on trial in this Temple building, Stephen abruptly shifts gears, focusing on God not living “in houses made by men.” In effect, he states that while his audience might believe that God resides right there in the building in which they stood, He, in fact, according to Isaiah, one of the revered prophets of Israel, could not be held in any man-made structure, no matter how grand or elegant.
I don’t know about you, but I have totally enjoyed this fall. The color changes in the trees have been spectacular in our part of the country! I had the opportunity recently to go away into the mountains for a few days, and at night, I would stand outside in the clear, crisp darkness, gazing into the vastness of the universe. In the morning, I would watch the sunrise paint beautiful hues of colors on the clouds, and in the evenings, I would delight in the last rays of sunlight dancing on the colorful trees. It was truly amazing and worshipful! And to have a bald eagle majestically glide in and through this picture was awe-inspiring!
These Hebrew leaders were offended by Stephen’s inference that God did not dwell in their Temple, and by that inference, was not restricted to their confining belief system. God was, and is, the untamable, un-box-able, mysterious Being, and yet He made Himself available and accessible.
Questions to consider: Was there ever a time that you tried to limit, contain, or put God in a box? What did that look like? Is there any way that you are doing that now?
Prayer: Most High God, who can confine You; who could possibly build a house that You could live in? Yet in the mystery of who You are, You choose to make Yourself most clearly known in Jesus, and You have given us Your Holy Spirit to reside within each one of us, as we invite You in. Help us to humbly appreciate the vastness of who You are and yet the intimacy that You allow us to experience in You. Amen.
Stephen retells the Hebrew history from the establishing of the tabernacle, under Moses, up through the building of the Temple in Jerusalem, under Solomon. As he was standing on trial in this Temple building, Stephen abruptly shifts gears, focusing on God not living “in houses made by men.” In effect, he states that while his audience might believe that God resides right there in the building in which they stood, He, in fact, according to Isaiah, one of the revered prophets of Israel, could not be held in any man-made structure, no matter how grand or elegant.
I don’t know about you, but I have totally enjoyed this fall. The color changes in the trees have been spectacular in our part of the country! I had the opportunity recently to go away into the mountains for a few days, and at night, I would stand outside in the clear, crisp darkness, gazing into the vastness of the universe. In the morning, I would watch the sunrise paint beautiful hues of colors on the clouds, and in the evenings, I would delight in the last rays of sunlight dancing on the colorful trees. It was truly amazing and worshipful! And to have a bald eagle majestically glide in and through this picture was awe-inspiring!
These Hebrew leaders were offended by Stephen’s inference that God did not dwell in their Temple, and by that inference, was not restricted to their confining belief system. God was, and is, the untamable, un-box-able, mysterious Being, and yet He made Himself available and accessible.
Questions to consider: Was there ever a time that you tried to limit, contain, or put God in a box? What did that look like? Is there any way that you are doing that now?
Prayer: Most High God, who can confine You; who could possibly build a house that You could live in? Yet in the mystery of who You are, You choose to make Yourself most clearly known in Jesus, and You have given us Your Holy Spirit to reside within each one of us, as we invite You in. Help us to humbly appreciate the vastness of who You are and yet the intimacy that You allow us to experience in You. Amen.
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