This morning, in my quiet time with the Lord, I was moved and led to mediate and ponder upon the reality of persecution. In my mind, I had this image of Stephen’s message and stoning and his image into heaven at the moment of his death. As you read Acts 7 and the story that follows, I pray that you are as moved as I by the faith and devotion to our great God. I only pray that when that day comes for us, that we will stand firm and resolute in the power of the Holy Spirit and will be found faithful to Him.
Acts 7:1–60 (ESV): Stephen’s Speech
7 And the high priest said, “Are these things so?” 2 And Stephen said:
“Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, 3 and said to him, ‘Go out from your land and from your kindred and go into the land that I will show you.’ 4 Then he went out from the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran. And after his father died, God removed him from there into this land in which you are now living. 5 Yet he gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot’s length, but promised to give it to him as a possession and to his offspring after him, though he had no child. 6 And God spoke to this effect—that his offspring would be sojourners in a land belonging to others, who would enslave them and afflict them four hundred years. 7 ‘But I will judge the nation that they serve,’ said God, ‘and after that they shall come out and worship me in this place.’ 8 And he gave him the covenant of circumcision. And so Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day, and Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs.
9 “And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him 10 and rescued him out of all his afflictions and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household. 11 Now there came a famine throughout all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction, and our fathers could find no food. 12 But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers on their first visit. 13 And on the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family became known to Pharaoh. 14 And Joseph sent and summoned Jacob his father and all his kindred, seventy-five persons in all. 15 And Jacob went down into Egypt, and he died, he and our fathers, 16 and they were carried back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham had bought for a sum of silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.
17 “But as the time of the promise drew near, which God had granted to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt 18 until there arose over Egypt another king who did not know Joseph. 19 He dealt shrewdly with our race and forced our fathers to expose their infants, so that they would not be kept alive. 20 At this time Moses was born; and he was beautiful in God’s sight. And he was brought up for three months in his father’s house, 21 and when he was exposed, Pharaoh’s daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son. 22 And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds.
23 “When he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel. 24 And seeing one of them being wronged, he defended the oppressed man and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian. 25 He supposed that his brothers would understand that God was giving them salvation by his hand, but they did not understand. 26 And on the following day he appeared to them as they were quarreling and tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers. Why do you wrong each other?’ 27 But the man who was wronging his neighbor thrust him aside, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? 28 Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’ 29 At this retort Moses fled and became an exile in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons.
30 “Now when forty years had passed, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush. 31 When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight, and as he drew near to look, there came the voice of the Lord: 32 ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob.’ And Moses trembled and did not dare to look. 33 Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. 34 I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their groaning, and I have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you to Egypt.’
35 “This Moses, whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’—this man God sent as both ruler and redeemer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36 This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in Egypt and at the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years. 37 This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers.’ 38 This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. He received living oracles to give to us. 39 Our fathers refused to obey him, but thrust him aside, and in their hearts they turned to Egypt, 40 saying to Aaron, ‘Make for us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who led us out from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ 41 And they made a calf in those days, and offered a sacrifice to the idol and were rejoicing in the works of their hands. 42 But God turned away and gave them over to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets:
“ ‘Did you bring to me slain beasts and sacrifices,
during the forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?
43 You took up the tent of Moloch
and the star of your god Rephan,
the images that you made to worship;
and I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’
44 “Our fathers had the tent of witness in the wilderness, just as he who spoke to Moses directed him to make it, according to the pattern that he had seen. 45 Our fathers in turn brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations that God drove out before our fathers. So it was until the days of David, 46 who found favor in the sight of God and asked to find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. 47 But it was Solomon who built a house for him. 48 Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says,
49 “ ‘Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.
What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord,
or what is the place of my rest?
50 Did not my hand make all these things?’
51 “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, 53 you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”
The Stoning of Stephen
54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. 55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. 58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Burnt At the Stake
The smell of gasoline soaked timber’s at my feet, the glisten of it on my bare skin, and the foul smell filling my nostrils was enough to make my stomach churn. They, along with the mob of onlookers, were my constant companions. The burning and cutting of the metal cuffs cutting into my wrists and the odd twist of my arms behind my back set a fire through my limbs and shoulders. Every move was excruciating. The cold chill of the early morning hours pressed against my nude body and sent tremors through me and causing uncontrollable shakes. Or were the shakes from fear? Perhaps anxiety? Anger? No, despite the jeering crowd with their angry shouts, their obscene comments, their vile profanities filling my ears, I was not angry. Fear of the coming pain. Embarrassment at my body’s exposure to the crowd. Pain from the current injuries sending my body into shock. Yes. But not anger. Looking out, I felt anything but anger. I struggled to still my body against the shaking and to still my heart. My God was watching.
“One final opportunity to recant.” The angry voice drew my attention back to the torch bearer in front of me. My judge, jury, and executioner. His voice was angry but also carried a tone that implied he sincerely hoped I would NOT change my mind. The glint in his eyes exposed how much he was looking forward to his task, even if he had to follow protocol and offer me one final chance to recant. How had the world come to this? How had such violent opposition reached this climax?
Abba, forgive them. Rescue them. Grant them faith and repentance that they may be spared the coming wrath. My burning will be light and momentary. Theirs will never cease. I do not wish that for them.
From my perch on top of the mountain high pile of wood, I stared down with sadness. Not just at the executioner, but at the crowd. Such sorrow and pity welled in my heart at the darkness and lostness of their condition.
With words compelled and fueled by the Spirit within, I spoke. “Do what you must. I am willing to suffer the burning of my flesh. You may be able to burn my flesh, but My God has secured my soul. Never can I ever, never will ever, deny my creator, my God, my King, my Savior, and my father. I love Him and he loves me. He loves you. I love you.” Tilting my head to the sky, I bellowed, “Abba, Father, forgive these men and women for their hatred of your name! Forgive them for their rejection of your glory and majesty! Show them your worth even now in my death and bear them to heaven on the stench of my burning flesh! Grant them repentance and may their act of villainy result in redemption through hearts that repent from their deeds! Let them see Your love in me!”
Even as I spoke, I saw the torch ark towards the pile, igniting the wood the instant the flame struck. Fear, momentary and fierce lit upon my heart even as the crowed roared in wild excitement. They began to chant.
“Burn. Burn. Burn. Burn. Burn.”
Their cries rose in crescendo and their hatred and anger flowed with acidic venom from their lips.
Abba, grant me strength to die for your glory and honoring your name! Brace me against the pain coming and let me die well even as Your Son did for me!
The words flowed out of my soul with a force of prayer that I had never felt before. And even as the flames began to dance at my feet, a song erupted in my heart and poured from my lips.
Oh Lord, my God
When I, in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
The words of the familiar hymn resounded from me with an intensity and conviction that matched the deep passion of my soul. I felt the strength of the Spirit within me with vivid clarity and overwhelming strength. Maybe it was the smoke making me loopy, but the words coming forth almost sounded angelic from lips that had never been able to carry a tune.
The words repeated over and over again even as the first bite of pain nipped at my toes. I could feel the heat on my face and chest. Even as my flesh began to burn and the the pain raced through me, I kept singing. As the flame climbed my legs and began to bite at my thighs, my chest, my face, I sang louder through the pain, a task managed only by a flood of grace and strength from Heaven above and the Spirit within. That no scream ever left my lips was a marvel and wonder to my soul as the words of scripture now began to pour forth in recitation.
Psalm 34:1–22 (ESV): 1 I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!
10 The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
20 He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.
21 Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22 The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
The crowd around me increased their shouts and jeers. Their anger intensifying. A rock struck my chest. The flesh tore away, already burning from the flame. More followed. My head, chest, arms, and back were struck over and over again as the crowd sought to silence the words of truth spilling forth with divine power! Still I spoke on. Reciting, singing, reciting, singing, never daunted from the pain, the mocking, or the flame.
“Abba,” I cried, “Bear me up your wings!” Closing my eyes against the pain, knowing full well the flesh was melting off my bones. I prayed for their souls. I clung to the hope of the brevity of my suffering and the ensuing death and entrance into my King’s presence. The pain was severe; agonizing! Every inch of my flesh was in excruciating pain and my lungs began to fill with smoke. Still I refused to cease singing.
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration
And then proclaim, my God, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
As the final words of the chorus poured forth from my lips, a sudden peace washed over me. All pain ceased, and the heavens seemed to open with a dazzling light! Even against my closed eyelids, I could see it. I struggled to open my eyes, or what little was left of them.
As I looked up, I saw Him. My God. My Savior. Standing at the right hand of His Father’s glorious throne. His approval and acknowledgement of my suffering for His name as clear as the light shining around him.
All pain ceased. The fire and flame disappeared. The angry mob vaporized. Nothing existed now except my King and me.
Tears erupted and poured forth down my face. I am not worthy. No. No, my King. Even as the words reverberated in my mind, I felt and heard his affirmation in my heart.
“Well done, my good and faithful servant. Enter the rest of your God.”
And even as the flame consumed my temporary flesh, with outstretched hand, I reached for my Savior who took me into His embrace and pulled me into His final rest.
A Singular Passion 
May God enable all who die as martyrs to praise Him to the end, that He may be glorified, that others may repent and know His glory and experience what they were made for.
LikeLiked by 1 person