JUNE 4: THE OUTSTANDING DEATH

Stephen was a Jew of the Diaspora, who lived in Jerusalem. He was one of the group referred to as Hellenists. He was a prominent member of the church in Jerusalem. There was a misunderstanding between the Palestine Jewish Christians and those of Diaspora, concerning the sharing of food. Stephen and six others were selected to provide leadership in taking care of the Hellenists in the church (Acts 1:1-6).

Stephen was immediately noticed as a man of outstanding endowments and power. He demonstrated this after being accused by the elders and scribes of speaking against the holy place, (Acts 6: 13-14). Stephen in his defense declared emphatically, that the Most High could not be limited to structures made by men; because, He fills all the world, and no place can contain Him. He accused them of being stiff-necked, uncircumcised in heart and ear; always resisting the Holy Spirit, betrayed and murdered the Righteous one. (Acts 7: 51).

He accused them of blasphemy; they were then filled with uncontrollable rage. They cast him out of the city and started stoning him. Stephen, untroubled by their anger, saw a vision of open heavens with Jesus Christ standing at the right hand of God. He prayed that the Lord should receive his spirit. He knelt down crying with a loud voice, “Lord do not count the sin against them” which is our memory verse for today. This was a statement of victory over death. Stephen’s spirit could not be conquered by the fear of death, because he knew he was going back to his creator.

Is somebody afraid to proclaim Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord to the world? Is somebody afraid of death? Death has no hold on those that are redeemed in Jesus Christ. It is the golden key that opens the door to eternity for those, who are in Christ Jesus.

PRAYER: My Father and my God, remove the spirit of fear of death from me in proclaiming the gospel of Truth. My Soul is yours and into your hands have I committed it, in Jesus’ name. Amen.