Sent: September 22, 2009
First Read: Acts 6:5 – 7:60
KH: Lord, what else could I have said?
God: Nothing, Son. Some just don’t want to hear the truth. It’s been this way since Cain killed Abel. No amount of logic will reach some people. Let’s go meet Stephen. He had the same problem… Ok, Son. That’s Stephen against the wall.
KH: It looks like he’s bleeding and the people around him are really mad!
God: That is correct, Son. He’s about to be stoned to death. I’ll freeze time for everyone except you and him so you can talk for a few minutes.
KH: But Lord, can’t You stop them?
God: Of course I could, but I know what is best. I know you can’t see it from your side, but it’s really precious when My children die for their faith (Ps. 116:15). You’ll see it clearly one day and it will all make sense then. For now, just trust Me to do right (Ps. 72:14; Rev. 14:13). Go talk with him, Son.
KH: Ok, Lord… Excuse me, Stephen, these guys look pretty angry and you look pretty peaceful (Acts 6:15). What’s going on here?
Stephen (ST): Well, it’s a long story. The church in Jerusalem is growing fast (Acts 5:42) and lots of widows who were Greek were being neglected when food was passed out (Acts 6:1) so the disciples selected seven Greek men to oversee that job so the apostles wouldn’t be distracted from their main job of preaching and teaching the Word.
KH: That seems like they were being more than fair to use Greeks to pass out food, since it was Greeks that complained.
ST: Oh, they were very fair! Everyone was happy. I was chosen to be one of those first deacons. God used me to do wonders and miracles (6:8), and many were being saved. This must have upset the Jews at the liberal synagogue in town, because they began arguing with me (6:9). All I was doing was telling them the truth from God’s Word.
KH: That’s all I try to do, too, and it sure makes some people mad! You should have seen the atheists at Berkeley University! They were livid! We’ve got it on video.
ST: Where is Berkeley? And what’s a video?
KH: Never mind. Berkeley won’t be started for 1,830 years and video for about 1,930. Never mind. Let’s just say that they were less than open minded to hear the creation message I gave there.
ST: That’s the same reaction I got today. I gave a very logical message from God’s Word showing that Jesus was indeed that Just One promised by the prophets (7:52). These guys know the Scriptures, and they know I told them the truth. I could tell it cut them to the heart (7:54), but instead of repenting and accepting Christ, they got angry and bit me!
KH: What else could you have said to them?
ST: I don’t think any words or scriptures or logic would have helped. They are set in their beliefs and don’t want to hear anything else. It’s been this way since the beginning. Nothing Moses said or did would have convinced Pharaoh. God finally had to take him out the hard way. Jezebel, Nabal, Belshazzar, and hundreds of others were the same way. All we can do is preach the truth. How they receive it is up to them. If they don’t like what you say, they will find a way to take you out.
KH: How did they “take you out?”
ST: First they falsely accused me of breaking some law. Then they got two false witnesses to lie about me (Acts 6:13-14). After that, they gave me a chance to give a defense (Acts 7: 1-53), but it was like I was talking to a wall. They had already made up their minds to kill me, so here I am.
KH: Does it bother you?
ST: I hate it for my family’s sake, but I ‘m excited to be a martyr for Christ. It’s precious in the sight of the Lord when one of His die (Ps. 116:15). He has lots of rewards for those who suffer for him. There is one more good thing about them stoning me today.
KH: What’s that?
ST: Do you see that young man over there where the witnesses are laying down their clothes?
KH: Yes, who is he?
ST: I don’t know, but I think God will use today to soften his heart. Watch him.
KH: I think you are right, Stephen. I think God has great plans for that young man (Acts 7:58; 9:1-18). Some hardened people can only be won this way.
God: Let’s go home, Son. You know how it turns out.
KH: I do, Lord, but I don’t know how mine turns out. They want to lock the ministry doors tomorrow. What will happen?
God: Just trust me, Son. Go to your class. I’ve got your back.