February 26
“Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” Acts 7:56.
Stephen, who became the first Christian martyr, was testifying to the truths of the Old Testament Scriptures and how God fulfilled His promises to send a Savior through His chosen people. He also pointed out that the people repeatedly refused to hear the Old Testament prophets. They often persecuted and killed them.
Then Stephen added the words, “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you,” Acts 7:51. He accused them of being stubborn – bullheaded and pigheaded! What was the reaction of those who heard what Stephen said? “When they heard these things they were cut to the heart and they gnashed at him with their teeth,” Acts 7:54. They were filled with hatred and anger. At that point Stephen was sure of how things would end.
Scripture continues with the words, “(Stephen) being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, ‘Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’ Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 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. And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not charge them with this sin.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep,” Acts 7:55-60.
Stephen was given a revelation of heaven before he ever arrived in heaven! He saw Jesus, the Son of Man, standing at the Father’s right hand, waiting to welcome him into the halls of heaven. With his faith in Jesus as God’s Son and his Savior, he was ready to die! He prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” Then he knelt down and cried to God with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin!” He prayed for his enemies!
We are reminded of what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,” Matthew 5:44.
We also are reminded of how Jesus prayed for the mocking multitude that stood near Calvary’s cross, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do,” Luke 23:34.
Yes, with our faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins, and the victory over death and the devil, we are prepared to enter into heaven. At the same time, we will witness to others and we will plead for others that they too will come to faith in Jesus’ forgiveness! We pray:
Abide, O dearest Jesus, Among us with Thy grace,
That Satan may not harm us, Nor we to sin give place.
Abide, O dear Redeemer, Among us with Thy Word,
And thus now and hereafter, True peace and joy afford.
Abide, O faithful Savior, Among us with Thy love,
Grant steadfastness and help us, To reach our home above. Amen.