Fifth Sunday of Easter: First Reading, Acts 6;1-9, 7:2a, 51-60         

Acts 6;1-9, 7:2a, 51-60

I love Stephen for several reasons. He is such an amazing model of humility. He is recognized for his fullness of faith and the Spirit. And he is more than willing to serve in a capacity that lacks glamor. And when he opens his mouth it brings strong recollection of the apostles with whom he associated and the Savior whom they all represent.

Stephen calls out the men and women of Israel who had murdered their Messiah. No holds are barred. He’s clear about it and it matters not to him whom he offends. He has an audience of one and it is that One who holds his heart first to last. At the end of his message, the “jury” decides his words are worthy of death and so Stephen feels the crushing of stones from the hands of the accused. But most significantly Stephen falls asleep in His Savior giving expression to two “words” spoken by His Savior from the cross. The first, Stephen surrenders his spirit into the Lord’s care as Jesus had done with His Father. And then Stephen cries out to God to forgive them, again much as His Master had done.

Stephen may or may not have been at the foot of the cross. But he no doubt learned of the behavior of His most holy Friend. Stephen followed Jesus. Stephen learned from the best.