First martyr
Day 493, Wednesday, Dec. 17
Acts 7:44 – 8:3
Stephen has come a long way from waiting tables.
Today we read the conclusion of the defense he made against the charge of preaching Christ—actually a sermon itself. As a defense, it fails badly, as it leads to Stephen being stoned to death—the first Christian martyr.
Over the centuries hundreds, even thousands, of people will follow Stephen into martyrdom as they die for their faith. Many will follow the pattern Stephen sets here: Assurance (“Look, I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”), commendation (“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”), and intercession for his murderers (“Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”).
The end of chapter 7 and the opening verses of chapter 8 introduce a new character into the story: Saul, who will also be known as Paul.
From the verses we read today we would expect him to be a villain. He progresses from passively approving of what happens to Stephen to being portrayed as an active persecutor of the church.
We know what will happen later, though. Paul will become the most powerful missionary the church has ever known, and will shape Christianity in ways that continue today.
The persecution also scatters many of the believers.
As a defense against the charges against him, Stephen’s sermon appeared to fail. God, though, turns it into unimaginable success for the building of the kingdom.

-Rev. Mark Fleming

Wednesday meditation

Psalms 44:9-16
But now you have rejected and humbled us; you no longer go out with our armies. You made us retreat before the enemy, and our adversaries have plundered us. You gave us up to be devoured like sheep and have scattered us among the nations. You sold your people for a pittance, gaining nothing from their sale.
You have made us a reproach to our neighbors, the scorn and derision of those around us. You have made us a byword among the nations; the peoples shake their heads at us. I live in disgrace all day long, and my face is covered with shame at the taunts of those who reproach and revile me, because of the enemy, who is bent on revenge.

Prayer focus
God, grant us courage in the face of adversity and opposition.