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Ever Feel Like You're Getting Stoned?
John TiltonActs 7:54-56
When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furiousand gnashed their teeth at him.55But 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.56“Look,” he said, “I see heaven openand the Son of Manstanding at the right hand of God.”
As Stephen recited the historical facts of God working through the many mentors of the Bible in an effort to help the high priest and the Sanhedrin understand God’s plan, especially the coming of Jesus, the Righteous One; they could not bear to hear what Stephen was saying. Thus, they stoned Stephen to death. As Stephen was being stoned, being led by the Holy Spirit, he looked to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. His last words were that of proclaiming God’s glory. Even in anticipation of death, Stephen stood fast to his belief in God’s plan through Jesus Christ, and who he (Stephen) was in Christ. Thus, he was able to stand confidently before the Sanhedrin, anticipating his death in this life, but knowing where he was eternally destined to be.
Ever feel like you’re getting stoned by people because of who you are, what you’ve been called to do, what you might have said, or what you have done … all with a well meant heart? Even more so, what if it is an assignment or a duty. Yet, your words and actions are misunderstood and offensive to people, because of where they are in life and character, or how they are perceiving the matter. Today, we refer to this situation as “taking the hits.”
Sometimes, the hits can be verbally. Sometimes it can be behind one’s back. Sometimes it can a stab in the back, or a defamation of your character.
Stephen’s stand of confidence before the Sanhedrin is a great reminder to me that if my heart is right, if I am following what I believe God has called me to do, and if I am going forth with a spirit of graciousness; I can be confident in Christ, not if, but when the hits come, or stones are thrown. May I also not jump to conclusions and throw stones of judgement at others, which is also easy to do.
Dear Lord, as your word says, “he who has no sin, may he cast the first stone.” Lord, may I be able to stand in confidence and perseverance when stones are casted at me. May I first be sure of what I am doing and/or saying. May I also refrain from casting stones at others in judgement, of which judgement, is only yours to make.
