Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Scripture

“While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, … ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’” Acts 7:59a-60b

Reflections

Stephen is the first recorded person to die for being a follower of Jesus.  He died by stoning, an unspeakably cruel and torturous method of death.  The crowd threw stones at him until he died from blunt trauma.  His last words were “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”

Saul was there at the time of Stephen’s stoning.  He approved of their killing him.  Imagine the impact of Stephen’s prayer upon Saul!  Not much later, the Lord Jesus appeared to Saul in a vision.  “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”  Saul repented and became a proclaimer of Jesus.  He later became known as the Apostle Paul.  Much of the New Testament was written by him.  Legend has it that he, too, died a martyr’s death.

We may encounter people who are hostile to us because we follow Christ.  How we respond can make all the difference in the world.  If we’re harsh and judgmental in response, we do no good.  If we’re disdainful toward them, we are not living love.

Jesus gave advice in Matthew 5; “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”  When we do that, it opens doors for the Spirit to be at work.  Who knows?  Maybe your simple witness of love might make a difference, enough to spark a giant in the faith.

Prayer

Lord God, thank you for forgiving me a sinner.  Help me to be as forgiving to others as you have been to me, even in the worst of circumstances.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Full Reading: Acts 7:55-60