Stephen was one of the first deacons, and is considered the first Christian martyr. He spoke boldly of Jesus and the Good News of the coming of the Kingdom.
The same leaders who hated Jesus, and couldn't contain the apostles, now hated Stephen and worked up the crowd to the point of frenzy. The crowd attacked Stephen and stoned him to death.
The story of the stoning of Stephen also introduces us to a young Jewish man named Saul who persecuted the Christians until his experience of Jesus changes him and he becomes Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles.
Stephen's story lets us know that it is not easy to be a Christian witness. It takes courage today in the face of the world's rejection of Gospel values as well as the rise of atheism.
I have not encountered such a rejection of a belief in God as I do today.
Most of the world believes in someone or something greater than themselves. Whether we call God Lord, Allah, Yahweh, or Jehovah, we are calling on the one God, even if we have different understandings of who God is.
Other cultures such as Hinduism and Zoroastrianism, still believe in the gods of their religions. But atheism denies the existence of any god.
To talk about Christianity in this environment and to work for its ideals, is very counter-cultural and takes courage.
Stephen was willing to risk everything for Christ. Are you, am I, willing to risk ridicule for our values?
Will we stand by when we see injustice or will be stand up for justice for everyone?
We have choices, just as Stephen did; may we have his courage and confidence in the promises of Christ.
