"58 Driving him out of the city, they began stoning him, and the witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 They went on stoning Stephen as he was calling out, “Lord Yeshua, receive my spirit!” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” After he said this, he died. (literally fell asleep) Acts 7 Tree of Life version
"7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8 Yeshua the Messiah is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace—not by foods that have not benefited those occupied by them. 10 We have an altar from which those serving in the tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals—whose blood is brought into the Holies by the kohen gadol as an offering for sin—are burned outside the camp. [c] 12 Therefore, to make the people holy through His own blood, Yeshua also suffered outside the gate. 13 So let us go to Him outside the camp, bearing His disgrace. 14 For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the one that is to come." Hebrews 13 Tree of Life version
The message spoken by Stephen through his powerful, miracle laden life was clear. Spoken to the self-appointed leaders of the chosen people, his strong message was Yeshua is Messiah. That message does not leave wiggle room, and his audience knew it. The message demands humble repentance. Stephen was what the community of Messiah (no way I can use the word "church" here, this is too holy and that word is too screwed up) is called to be a body with no rights, a body willing to die that others may live, followers of the Way.
Can we admit we are far removed from this reality?
Can we acknowledge the need for humble repentance?
Can we put aside the gathering that frequently coddles self and promotes a self-centered prayer to get me to heaven?
Can we go out of the city and join Yeshua on His cross and Stephen in his stoning?
His life in us is a sacrificial love that cannot be defeated, even in death.
And a man named Saul was watching...
"7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8 Yeshua the Messiah is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace—not by foods that have not benefited those occupied by them. 10 We have an altar from which those serving in the tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals—whose blood is brought into the Holies by the kohen gadol as an offering for sin—are burned outside the camp. [c] 12 Therefore, to make the people holy through His own blood, Yeshua also suffered outside the gate. 13 So let us go to Him outside the camp, bearing His disgrace. 14 For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the one that is to come." Hebrews 13 Tree of Life version
The message spoken by Stephen through his powerful, miracle laden life was clear. Spoken to the self-appointed leaders of the chosen people, his strong message was Yeshua is Messiah. That message does not leave wiggle room, and his audience knew it. The message demands humble repentance. Stephen was what the community of Messiah (no way I can use the word "church" here, this is too holy and that word is too screwed up) is called to be a body with no rights, a body willing to die that others may live, followers of the Way.
Can we admit we are far removed from this reality?
Can we acknowledge the need for humble repentance?
Can we put aside the gathering that frequently coddles self and promotes a self-centered prayer to get me to heaven?
Can we go out of the city and join Yeshua on His cross and Stephen in his stoning?
His life in us is a sacrificial love that cannot be defeated, even in death.
And a man named Saul was watching...
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