Acts 6:8-7:2a (NRSV)
Read Acts 6:8-7:2a on biblegateway.com
Verse 8Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Verse 9Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and others of those from Cilicia and Asia, stood up and argued with Stephen. Verse 10But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. Verse 11Then they secretly instigated some men to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God." Verse 12They stirred up the people as well as the elders and the scribes; then they suddenly confronted him, seized him, and brought him before the council. Verse 13They set up false witnesses who said, "This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law; Verse 14for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses handed on to us." Verse 15And all who sat in the council looked intently at him, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
Chapter 7Then the high priest asked him, "Are these things so?" Verse 2And Stephen replied: "Brothers and fathers, listen to me. The God of glory appeared to our ancestor Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran,
Devotion
“I can’t forgive him. I hate him!” It wasn’t a very pious attitude, but it was honest. “Him” was the thief that had broken into his home, stolen some valuables and senselessly destroyed things that had little street value, but were precious and irreplaceable.
He and his wife didn’t sleep well for months.
“How can I forgive him?”
At a Bible study, he heard the story of the first Christian martyr, Stephen, who was so unfairly stoned to death. Stephen’s last words jumped off the page: “Lord, do not hold this sin against [my assassins]”—an echo of Jesus’ words from the cross.
It suddenly struck him that Stephen didn’t ask for the power to forgive; he asked God to do the forgiving.
“God,” he prayed silently, “Forgive that thief; I don’t have the strength right now, and I know you love him. I’ll let go now!”
Prayer
Dear Jesus, forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. And when we don’t have the strength to feel forgiving, please forgive the people who have hurt us the most. Amen.