Description: In the face of martyrdom, Stephen's focus wasn't on his earthly attackers but on his heavenly reward. This devotional encourages us to lift our eyes above our present troubles and fix them on Jesus, our standing and victorious Savior.
Scripture: Acts 7:54-60
Explanation: This passage marks the dramatic and triumphant conclusion to Stephen's life on earth. Faced with a council consumed by murderous rage, Stephen is not filled with fear, but with the Holy Spirit. This divine filling changes his entire perspective. He is given a glimpse beyond the veil of this world, past the snarling faces and the stones in their hands. He sees into heaven itself, witnessing the ultimate reality: the glory of God, and Jesus standing in a position of honor, authority, and readiness to receive His servant. This heavenly vision empowers Stephen to face a brutal death with astonishing grace. His last words are not a curse on his enemies, but a prayer for their forgiveness and a commendation of his own spirit to the Lord. His death is not portrayed as a defeat, but as a peaceful 'falling asleep,' a victorious transition from earthly suffering to eternal glory.
Parable: Let me share a modern story to help us grasp this. Think of a firefighter named Captain Miller, a veteran of twenty years, leading his crew into a blazing, unstable warehouse. Inside, the heat is immense, the smoke is blinding, and the roar of the fire is deafening. A young firefighter on his first big call becomes disoriented, panicking as a section of the roof begins to groan above him. He's frozen by fear, looking at the fire, the falling debris, the chaos all around him. But Captain Miller gets on the radio, his voice calm and steady. 'Son, stop looking at the fire. Look at me.' Through the smoke, the young man sees the captain standing near an exit, illuminated by a powerful beam of light from the outside. The captain isn't looking at the flames; his gaze is fixed on the young man, his hand outstretched, motioning for him to come. The captain’s calm demeanor and fixed gaze cut through the rookie's terror. Seeing his commander's confidence, knowing the captain knew the way out, the young man stops focusing on the immediate danger and moves toward the source of the voice and the light. He focuses solely on the captain, and following his lead, he makes it out of the inferno just as the roof collapses. His focus on his rescuer saved his life.
Moral: The lesson for us is powerful. When we are in the fires of trial, when the world rages against us, our natural tendency is to focus on the danger and the chaos. But Stephen teaches us a better way. We must, by the power of the Holy Spirit, lift our gaze from our circumstances and fix our eyes stedfastly on Jesus. He is not sitting, but standing at the right hand of God, attentive, powerful, and ready to receive us. This vision of His glory and authority gives us the grace to endure suffering, to forgive our enemies, and to face even death with peace, knowing that we are passing from this life into His eternal presence. 'Looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.' Hebrews 12:2 (ASV).