Stephen was a man filled with the fire of the Holy Spirit. He was so alive with the power of the Spirit that he was overwhelming and explosive. He was focused on one thing: sharing the experience of the risen Lord in his life with everyone else around him. His words were clear and direct about the risen Christ and his actions were filled with miracles. His words and actions produced new life and new faith everywhere he went.
Most of us tend to have our lives focused on other things: money, jobs, family, house, friends, power, feeling good, ourselves, or whatever is in style any given year. There are so many modern-day idols in our lives. We dedicate our lives to those things and if we have any time left over, we do something religious for God. Plus, when it comes to faith, we tend to keep silent – even within our own families. We don’t want to look like fanatics or lose our social position by possibly disturbing others.
After the resurrection, the community of faith in Jerusalem became a center of explosive public witness of their faith – all through Jerusalem, Israel, and then all parts of the world. They did not hesitate to proclaim and share their faith. Stephen had been rebuilt, reborn, reformed, transformed by the risen Lord. He went out and transformed everyone around him. Even the council that was interrogating him (the Sanhedrin) recognized this transformation. Looking at Stephen was like looking at an angel.
Stephen is the first martyr. He was full of the joy that comes from the risen Lord and had focused his life on sharing that joy. His actions and message call us all to refocus our lives on the risen Lord and to become active evangelizers today within our daily lives: our family, friends, neighborhood, workplace, or school.
Stephen, filled with grace and power,
was working great wonders and signs among the people.
All those who sat in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him
and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
Image: https://ssnet.org/blog/monday-stephens-ministry/