But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand.
Sunday morning, as my husband was teaching a lesson from the book of Acts (chapters 6& 7 if you want to read up), he pointed out something that I never noticed before. As the servant of God, Stephen, was being stoned to death for his loyalty to the Messiah, he looked past his persecutors to heaven. He saw Jesus at the right hand of God.
Jesus said he would be at the right hand of God himself. In fact, when he was asked if he was the Messiah, “Jesus said, ‘I Am. And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand'” (Mk. 14:62). But something was different this time. What was it?
This time he rose to his feet.
Sometimes things happen in the earthly realm that really get Jesus’ attention. Like when he rallied the apostles together to take notice of the widow giving all she had (Mk. 12:43). He was “wowed” by a poor woman sacrificing all her money for him. This time he is “wowed” by a man willing to sacrifice the breath in his body for him.
What about me? Today I’m not a poor widow. I’m not a servant being stoned. But I am where God has placed me and I wonder if I “wow” him too. I wonder if there are more times that he hangs his head in disappointment of me or if there are actually moments that I have sacrificed enough get him to his feet.
Well, I have decided I want more moments of Jesus on his feet and less of head-hanging shame. I am not sure what that will look like. I am not sure what that will require me to give up. I am not sure how that will change me. But my heart is willing to try.
Lord Jesus,
Help me to set my heart on seeking you and sacrificing all that you ask me to. Help me to see the places in my heart that I am still holding back from you. I want to go wherever you lead me. I want to walk through every door you open for me. I want to love you with reckless abandon. Help me get there.
Amen
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