Acts 7
Devotional:
As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died. (Acts 7:59-60)
After being falsely accused of speaking against the Old Testament, the temple and the law, Stephen gives evidence of his reverence for Jewish tradition and history. He then accuses those who charged him of rejecting the Messiah, resisting the Holy Spirit and killing the Old Testament prophets. Again, we see similarities here to the words of Jesus (see Luke 11:47). Like Jesus, Stephen is then killed in spite of his innocence, and we see him begging the Lord to forgive his murderers and not hold their sin against them (Luke 23:24). We are also to follow his example of imitating Jesus (Ephesians 5:1-2; 1 Peter 2:21). Are we prepared to face our accusers as Stephen was? When treated falsely, can we forgive as Stephen did?
As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died. (Acts 7:59-60)
After being falsely accused of speaking against the Old Testament, the temple and the law, Stephen gives evidence of his reverence for Jewish tradition and history. He then accuses those who charged him of rejecting the Messiah, resisting the Holy Spirit and killing the Old Testament prophets. Again, we see similarities here to the words of Jesus (see Luke 11:47). Like Jesus, Stephen is then killed in spite of his innocence, and we see him begging the Lord to forgive his murderers and not hold their sin against them (Luke 23:24). We are also to follow his example of imitating Jesus (Ephesians 5:1-2; 1 Peter 2:21). Are we prepared to face our accusers as Stephen was? When treated falsely, can we forgive as Stephen did?
Pray it:
Father, thank you for sending Jesus not only to rescue me from my sin through his death and resurrection, but to show me a better way to live in this life. Give me the grace and the strength to forgive those who sin against me and to look at them with love rather than hatred, just as he did and Stephen did after him. Amen.
Father, thank you for sending Jesus not only to rescue me from my sin through his death and resurrection, but to show me a better way to live in this life. Give me the grace and the strength to forgive those who sin against me and to look at them with love rather than hatred, just as he did and Stephen did after him. Amen.
Share it:
Who is someone you can share a verse or thought from this passage with?
Who is someone you can share a verse or thought from this passage with?
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