~~~ Acts of the Apostles 7:51-8:1A ~~~ Psalm 31 ~~~ John 6:30-35 ~~~
But Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit,
looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God.
Stephen is preaching to the people
about how corrupt and hopeless they are
and have been for some time now.
He does not try to sugar coat his remarks.
It seems he is trying to insult and belittle them...
using phrases like...
stiff-necked, uncircumcised of heart and ears,
literal rebels against the Holy Spirit.
Going on to negatively compare them to all of their ancestors...
good for nothing betrayers and murders.
Stinging words aimed right at their hearts.
They had not even taken the words of angels seriously.
Could it be any worse?
It is not surprising, after this little rant,
that the people thought it best to silence him once and for all.
Stoning seemed to be the order of the day.
If you do not like what someone is saying about you
then just get rid of them for good.
That is kill them...problem solved.
Stephen took a chance.
Some might even say his words and actions were reckless.
His strong conviction in Jesus took over his mind, body, and soul.
Isn't that what we are also called to?
Are we not also asked to love God with our whole being?
When is it too risky to love?
How far would you be willing to take your love for God?
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life;
whoever comes to me will never hunger,
and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”
Some might even say his words and actions were reckless.
His strong conviction in Jesus took over his mind, body, and soul.
Isn't that what we are also called to?
Are we not also asked to love God with our whole being?
When is it too risky to love?
How far would you be willing to take your love for God?
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life;
whoever comes to me will never hunger,
and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”
Stephen made reference to the ancestors...
Moses was given manna from heaven, still the people grumbled.
Jesus gives us himself as the 'bread of life'
and still there are those today who would grumble.
Stephen believed until it cost him his life.
We may not be called to give up our life for Jesus today,
but we are called to love just as intently as Stephen.
...the heavens opened
Moses was given manna from heaven, still the people grumbled.
Jesus gives us himself as the 'bread of life'
and still there are those today who would grumble.
Stephen believed until it cost him his life.
We may not be called to give up our life for Jesus today,
but we are called to love just as intently as Stephen.
...the heavens opened
and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.
Stephen saw Jesus waiting for him;
that was enough to keep him strong.
that was enough to keep him strong.
Jesus Blesses us with the same vision if we believe.
When the time comes may we have the strength of Stephen.
~~~ Peace ~~~
When the time comes may we have the strength of Stephen.
~~~ Peace ~~~
No comments:
Post a Comment