Stephen Sees Jesus

“Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” — Acts 7:60

Stephen was one of the seven helpers. He was full of God’s grace and power, and he did great wonders and miracles among the people.

Some men began to argue with Stephen. But they couldn’t win, because Stephen spoke with great wisdom, given by the Holy Spirit. So they paid some men to tell lies about him. “We heard him say terrible things against Moses and against God!” they said.

So Stephen was arrested and brought before the council of leaders. And all the people in the council looked at him, and they saw that his face was shining like the face of an angel.

“Are these things true?” the high priest asked.

Stephen answered with a long speech. He told the whole story of God’s people, all the way from Abraham to Joseph and Moses, and David and Solomon. You know most of those stories! And he showed how, again and again, God’s people had turned away from the people God sent to them. “And now,” Stephen said, “you have done the same thing. You have betrayed and killed the Righteous One, Jesus.”

When the leaders heard this, they were furious.

But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven. And he saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at God’s right hand.

“Look!” said Stephen. “I see heaven open, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”

At this, the leaders covered their ears and shouted at the top of their voices. They all rushed at him and dragged him out of the city, and began to throw stones at him. The men who were throwing stones took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul.

While they were throwing stones at him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!”

And when he had said this, he fell asleep. Stephen had died.

Stephen was the first person to die because he followed Jesus. And did you notice what he said? Just like Jesus on the cross, Stephen prayed for the people who were killing him. “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”

Jesus was standing to welcome Stephen home. Stephen didn’t die alone or afraid. He saw Jesus waiting for him.

And Saul was there, watching, agreeing that Stephen should die.

That day, a terrible persecution began against the church in Jerusalem. Saul went from house to house, dragging Christians off to prison. And the believers were scattered all over Judea and Samaria.

But you’ll see what happened next. God had a plan, even for this. And He had a plan for Saul too.

Read it in your Bible: Acts 6:8–15; 7:54–8:3

Dear Jesus, thank you that you are waiting for everyone who loves you. Please help me to forgive people who hurt me, the way Stephen did, and the way you did. Amen.