Response #1, #2, or #3?

Acts 7:57

"At this, they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him," NIV

"Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord" NKJV

(previously)

vs 56 "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."

There are many responses to these words:

1. Praise be to you Almighty Father! Amen!

2. Well, that's nice for you, but it doesn't have anything to do with me (oh, and I'm starting to wonder if you're in your right mind...)

3. Anger, offense, fury, "I need to shut the mouth of the one who says these things.  Permanently."

In our country, at this time, we are most likely to have the second response - casually acknowledging, but not personally taking in this bold proclamation.  But in many cultures around the world, right now, to share a vision of Christ publicly is to seemingly invite danger and persecution.

Matthew 22:16 "Teacher," they said "We know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.  You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are."

Let me always receive your message and respond in praise to you.  And let me not be swayed when others respond against you.

See and Say

Acts 7:56 NKJV

"and said, "Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!"

(previously)

7:55 - "But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God,"

Stephen's view is mentioned twice, not just for his comfort, or an acknowledgment of a job well done, but for a pure witness of Jesus.

    Stephen doesn't just see the glory of God and receive it for his much needed comfort, but speaks up and shares his heavenly view.  There is nothing to be gained by this announcement; if anything, Stephen's words only further stoked the Sanhedrin's fury.  He said "Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!" because it was true.  Stephen would not, could not deny the glory of God, even as the witnesses gathered heavy stones so as to inflict the maximum damage to his body.  And he is a faithful evangelist to the end; not just "I see" but "Look!" so YOU can see.  I imagine he shouted it.  Not "look, so therefore you won't stone me," a distraction or convicting words, but "look, so you can see!".

This is the training grounds.  Hiking the foothills to prepare for climbing to the summit.  I have nothing to compare to the intensity of Stephen's situation.  The true life or death trap of the Pharisees.  So if my examples of unease, discomfort are so small, why then do I struggle to see God's glory and announce it in the face of those who mock and do not believe?

Lord, help me stand, uncompromisingly for you.

Let me hear and heed your prompting in every situation.

I Lift My Eyes Up

Acts 7:55 NIV

"But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God"

         He was not distracted, deterred, or intimidated by their furious gnashing - he just looked up.    

Oh! To be filled with the Holy Spirit, AND see the glory of God, AND, see Jesus! Himself! Standing at the right hand of God... This is an incredibly rare event, and one that (I believe) no one else ever lived to exclaim about.  What a gift from God, in the midst of his torture and soon murder by stoning, God allowed Stephen a magnificent, clear view that He was there, and already welcoming him to heaven with a standing ovation.   

         Thank you, Lord, for this beautiful example of one of Your believers seeking You.  Even in the bleakest of circumstances, Stephen's example shows me that I'm to proclaim and look to You.   I need to put away my own distractions, and fix my eyes on You.  Every day, in every situation.

Cut to the Heart

Acts 7:54 NIV

"When they heard this, they were furious (cut to the heart - NKJV) and gnashed their teeth at him."

   How do we respond when we hear something we don't like?  Something condemning, convicting - something we know is true, but we have separated it from us, buried so far and so deep, that we are grossly offended that someone would dare to not only find it, but actually retrieve it and put it back in front of us.  Who is this 'someone' that even cares enough about us to take the time and exert the energy required to identify this sin and present it to us?  (Thereby not allowing us to live in the quasi-comfortable and disconnected bubble we've formed?)

   Would a co-worker take the time?  A friend?  Would a good friend put themselves in this uncomfortable position for your benefit?  Would your family member tell you something you need to hear, but don't want to?  Would you even receive it from any of these?  What if it's God who's delivering the message?  Is it ever okay to scoff, get furious and gnash your teeth?

   Well, yes.  The Bible says "Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath," (Eph.4:26)  Getting cut hurts - it's not strange or unexpected that we might feel some fury when it happens.  But how we respond to the 'messenger' is what counts.

   Lord, please help me have listening ears and a malleable heart.  "Let the righteous strike me; it shall be a kindness.  And let him rebuke me; it shall be as excellent oil; Let my head not refuse it."

(Psalm 141:5)  In my next opportunity for correction, which will no doubt be soon, help me listen, thank, and think, without negative response.  May You interpret their words, and impart them to my heart.