Acts 7:54 “When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, 58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”
Nowhere else is Jesus seen standing at the right hand of the Father. Heaven opened up and Stephen experienced the Trinity at the time he needed it most. Jesus stood looking to earth at Stephen in this one-time event. Luke wanted the church to know that Jesus is standing or sitting for us although visible or invisible. Jesus stands for his people, and it’s common for him to do so. We wouldn’t make it if not for Jesus being near. We don’t stand alone. He doesn’t have to be visible to help us. Long before Stephen saw Jesus, Jesus saw him. It’s not nearly as important that we see Jesus as it is that he sees and watches over us. His hand is between us and the opposition. Never forget that.
Stephen had done nothing to hurt these people. He witnessed to the Jews and reminded them how good God was in the midst of their failures. He told them God sent Jesus to save them and the entire human race. He was trying to help them. They were as religious as religious could be yet they rejected the truth.
The religious will likely be our worst enemy. Today religion is anything and everything including a self made God. The truth remains that God is God and rejecting him, no matter how religious you are, will still put you in hell. This opposition was not just against Stephen but the truth of God. What he said came between them and their rituals, even if it was God. If we take the Lord out of Christianity, it’s all a waste of time. We must have a personal relationship with Jesus. The Jews were intolerant of this interference. We can be faced with this same violence in response to the truth. Name it, and it’s out there. There is still only one way. They got mad at Stephen to the point of railing against him. It was all because he had found the truth and wanted to share it with them. If we identify with the truth, we’ll find opposition.
The timing of this was at Stephen’s loneliest hour. He had never been in more danger. They gnashed on him. He could read “kill” in their faces. Here in his most perilous time he saw Jesus standing. At ours, when no other Christians are around, heaven is always around and the connection can’t be broken. As long as we stay with Jesus, we’re never really in peril. God is there. So what if causes us pain. Our heart won’t skip a beat if it takes our life. It’s here, then in heaven. Stephen was cornered, and from the earthly perspective, at the end of his rope. In this he saw Jesus standing for him. There is never an end to our rope; when we think we’re there it brings the beginning of a better experience with God.
God’s perfect timing was at Stephen’s worst time, but God was there. Luke said “But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.” Stephen told them about it too. In verse 56 he said “behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.” Grasp what happened. No one else was with Stephen, but the devil couldn’t touch what he had—the Holy Ghost. It’s not what is around us that matters but what is inside. Stephen didn’t focus on the mob. He looked up. As you make your stand don’t focus on the enemies you may encounter. Look up and you’ll see Jesus.
Stephen saw the heavens open and the kingdom of God was just where God said. It will always remain where God put it. We only see the sky, but be assured its there. It will not be moved. He saw God abiding in his glory. There may be a lot of bad talk going on about God, but he’s still on his throne. Beside of God, Stephen saw Jesus in all his credentials. He suffered; he died and was laid in a tomb. He had recently arose and ascended to heaven. Stephen saw Jesus exactly where he said he was going to be. No matter how “end of the rope” our hour may be, Jesus is where he’s supposed to be.
Jesus stood up for Stephen because Stephen stood up for him. Whatever we need from Jesus he’ll do it. Whatever help we need in standing for the Lord, He will provide it. Upon seeing Jesus, Stephen prayed “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he prayed for the people who stoned him. “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.” After that he slipped into the arms of Jesus.
Jesus stood up for Stephen. He helps us. He’s there for us. How can we not stand up for a Savior who is so willing to stand up for us?
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 