A Heart like Stephen's

 


Stephen's Final Words

Stephen, a devout follower of Christ, stands before the enraged council members. Filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazes toward heaven, where he beholds the glory of God and Jesus standing at His right hand¹. In that sacred moment, Stephen's earthly circumstances fade into insignificance as he glimpses eternity.

Stephen's declaration reverberates through the ages: "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right side of God!"¹. His vision transcends the physical realm, revealing the divine reality—the Son of Man, Jesus, interceding on behalf of humanity. The right side, a place of honor and power, signifies Jesus' authority and compassion.

But Stephen's response doesn't end with awe-struck wonder. As the stones rain down upon him, he prays, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." His surrender echoes Christ's own words on the cross, embodying forgiveness and trust in the face of brutality. And then, in an act of extraordinary grace, Stephen pleads for his persecutors: "Lord, do not hold this sin against them" (Acts 7:59-60).

Stephen's dying plea mirrors Christ's intercession for humanity. Just as Jesus prayed for forgiveness for those who crucified Him, Stephen extends mercy to those who take his life. His heart mirrors the heart of Christ—a heart that forgives, even amid suffering.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we reflect on Stephen's final moments, we are humbled by his unwavering faith and selflessness. Like him, we long to see heaven open and behold Your glory.

Grant us a heart like Stephen's—a heart that forgives, even when wounded; a heart that intercedes for our enemies; a heart that sees beyond the temporal to the eternal.

Lord Jesus, receive our spirits. May we surrender our lives into Your hands, trusting in Your mercy and grace.

And when faced with adversity, help us echo Stephen's plea: "Lord, don't blame them for what they have done."

In Jesus' name, we pray.

Amen.

May Stephen's example inspire us to live with courage, compassion, and forgiveness, even in the face of adversity. 🙏

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