The First Martyr

Acts 6:8-8:8

Stephen, while not one of the 'original' disciples, is here speaking so strongly and clearly-and from what we have already read, truthfully, that he gets quite a lot of attention. But his words aren't being well received by everyone. In a fit of rage, these people rush at him and stone him to death, all the while he doesn't hold it against them.

Maybe after that speech about the prophets and Jesus, he isn't surprised at the outcome, but all I can say is after hearing how well he spoke, I am sorry I didn't get to hear more of his speeches. This is a mob scene-literally and I have never been around one, and I am certain I would not like to be. How is it that a mob will do things that one person acting on their own would not. I bet if any one of these people were told to take up enough stones to go in front of witnesses and kill a man, an unarmed man in cold blood, they would not do it; yet in a group they go ahead and kill him.

Makes me think it is important to pay attention to where we go, and with whom we hang out. Being one of the crowd is not necessarily going to be a good thing. Even had Stephen 'deserved' death, they did not do it according to their own law and their own custom, and the charges were false, and they knew it. We must be careful not to participate in the things that would harm us or others in order to be part of this crowd.

This Saul, who watches while Stephen is stoned, goes about and gathers up people into prison. Also not someone I'd like to hang out with. The folks who had been so full of the good news are spread around the outlying areas and as they flee they continue to speak of this good news and they continue to heal the people they meet. It says Philip went to Samaria and preached with boldness and power. This message wouldn't have gotten that far, had they stayed in one place. Is this still the anti-babel? Is this still where God says "go into all the world?" What am I called to do now, now that I too am a recipient of this good news?

See you tomorrow?
-maggie