Stephen: The First Martyr
Acts 7:54–60
[Stephen] . . . gazed into heaven and saw . . . Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Acts 7:55
Jesus is standing. Why? There have been two valid suggestions. One is that Jesus stood up to receive his martyr, Stephen. Sometimes we hear stories like that of the death of Christians. They are lying on their beds, but as they die they lift their arms and rise upward, sometimes even saying something like, “Look, I see Jesus.” Then they fall back and die. My own great grandfather died that way, reacting in astonishment to what he saw of the heavenly glory as he died. Perhaps that is the explanation of why Jesus stood when Stephen died.
But there is another valid explanation. Jesus said in Matthew 10:32: “whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” In view of this verse, it may be that we have a case of Jesus standing to plead Stephen’s cause as his advocate. That is, Jesus takes the position of a defender and witness before the Father’s throne.
If this is the case, then what Stephen caught a glimpse of was that second and much greater trial in which he was involved. Up to this moment he had only been able to see the earthly trial. He was condemned by the earthly court. But at the moment of his death, he caught a glimpse of that greater, heavenly trial, in which he was acquitted. In this trial the Lord Jesus Christ took his side, pleaded his case, and prevailed. I find that immensely encouraging.
In this life we go through many situations in which we are on trial, and although we try to do our best, we often fail and are even misunderstood. We get discouraged. But we have to remember that the trials we go through in this life are not the final trial of history. They may be important. We want to do as well in them as we possibly can. That is why we have to be strong and bear a faithful testimony in all circumstances. But the trial that really matters, the verdict that counts, is the verdict that is given by the Lord Jesus Christ and by God the Father.
I do not know what the Lord Jesus Christ says when he looks down, sees us, and pleads our case before the Father, though I am sure it varies in every case. But I do know that, if we are his, he owns us and pleads our case in heaven. He says in effect, “This one is mine. That one is mine. I died for these people. My death covered their sin. They are clothed in my righteousness.” As long as that is true, we can carry on. We can fight the good fight of faith, stand firm to the end, and bear a victorious testimony.
Taken from Come to the Waters by James Boice ISBN 9798887790954 used with permission from P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg NJ 08865
Scripture quotations are from the ESV (the Holy Bible English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.