“Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.”
John 12:24-26
“While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. And Saul approved of their killing him.
On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.
Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went”
Acts 7:59-8:4
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NOVEMBER 8, 2024
As we work our way through Acts and the history of the church, we find the highest of highs—the gift of the Holy Spirit and the resulting beautiful community—is followed by the lowest of lows—persecution, death, and the utter scattering of that community. The first arrests occur in Acts 4, just after the Spirit came and filled the believers. The first killing come just after the Holy Spirit equipped thousands to join this joyful community. Yet the disciples continued to be faithful to Jesus and live out their unorthodox beliefs and lifestyle—and continued to make enemies.
Now, in this week’s passage, Stephen is arrested. He gives a powerful, long-form sermon outlining the work of God through Israel’s history, but the response of those listening is to stone him (7:57–60). Stephen becomes the first martyr of the church.
The moment the church began to feel the blessing of the Spirit and of community, it also began to feel the all-too-real pain of persecution. This tension between God’s plan for redemption and our own bent towards destruction is, after all, the natural course of things.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus laid out a vision of the world that is at odds with itself. As Jesus said, “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed” (John 3:19–20).
It’s easy to forget this and pursue the path of people-pleasing and being liked; of listening to false prophets who promise us security and safety if we extol their name; of listening to false witnesses that disciple us to fear and hate our fellow humans. But as Paul says, “Am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10). When it comes to following Jesus in this world, we should expect opposition—maybe even from our religious community and leaders, as the early followers of Christ experienced.
But we have seen Jesus sitting at the right hand of God. We are people of the resurrection. There is nothing left for us to fear.
Questions for reflection and discussion:
- How does being a Christian change the way you live in this world?
- How are you bringing God’s light and love to the people around you?
- How are you being discipled to spread darkness and fear instead?
Church Reading Plan:
- Today, November 8: Hosea 14; Psalm 139
- Saturday, November 9: Joel 1; Psalm 140-141
- Sunday, November 10: Joel 2; Psalm 142