How To Cultivate an Obsession With Your Bible + “Not Like You’d Think”
Not Like You’d Think.
Last night, lying in bed, I read Acts 6. (So wanting to increase my HUNGER for the Word and read it in all the “nooks and crannies” of my days again!) As I read, I was so struck by what an amazing man Stephen was! I think I have often glossed over and skimmed past his story, as it’s tucked between the Day of Pentecost and the conversion of Paul. But WOW! —WHAT A GUY! WHAT A POWERFUL MAN OF GOD! And the 2nd thing that struck me is the reminder that “…my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Is 55:8-9)
Stephen is only “in The Story” for 2 chapters, but The Story speaks so highly of him. Stephen shows up on the pages of Scripture because there is a complaint that the Greek widows are being overlooked and the apostles decide to look for 7 men who can care for them, serve tables (v.2), and appoint over the “business.” (v.3) The qualification was “of good report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom.” That seems a little “overqualified” for waiter duty, but the Apostles didn’t. The multitude is pleased, “and THEY CHOSE STEPHEN, A MAN FULL OF FAITH and the HOLY GHOST,” along with 6 other men. The Apostles lay hands on them, pray for them, and IMMEDIATELY, we see the church flourish and grow: “And the Word of God increased; and the number of disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.” (6:7) The service of these 7 men, and it’s freeing the Apostles, has FURTHERED revival…. made a way for the expansion of the Gospel!
Stephen ❤️
The very next verse gives more insight into Stephen: “And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders among the people.” He was definitely “overqualified” for “just serving,” but “just serving” will never stop God from using an individual. Rather, we see here, that serving was just the opportunity God used to bring Stephen’s ministry to the forefront. And his place at the forefront, got the attention of “the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Celicia and Asia”, and they debated with Stephen. (v.9). But another compliment is written of Stephen: “they were not able to resist the wisdom and spirit by which he spake.” (v.10). The Jews are so antagonized and irritated with him that they arrest him (v.12), rile up the crowd, and bring false accusations against him. (v.12-13). To say they are angered with him is an understatement, but when they look at him, they “saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.” I can’t seem to figure out exactly what that phrase means, but I do see it’s complimentary. In light of the accusations brought against him, the High priest asks Stephen, “Are the accusations true?” (7:1) Stephen’s response is one of the most beautiful, eloquent sermons of the early church. Right there on the “witness stand,” he begins: “Men, brethren, and fathers…” LISTEN UP!, and he continues on, summarizing the grand stories and themes of the Old Testament. Not only was Stephen used in miraculous ways, but THE MAN COULD PREACH! And he boldly calls the highest Jewish religious leaders out: “…the Messiah whom you betrayed and murdered. You deliberately disobeyed God’s law, even though you received it from the hand of angels.” OUCH! They are now infuriated: “they were cut to the heart and gnashed on him with their teeth.” (7:54)
Now, we see a picture of Stephen’s ministry and it is POWERFUL! “But he….” while they filled with rage, was “full of the Holy Ghost, looked steadfastly up into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God”, and he tells the crowd what he is seeing. THIS ESCALATES THEIR FURY, and they plug their ears, run at him simultaneously, throw him out of the city & stone him. (Random side note: there are enough stories of stoning in the Bible that it seems a little less “shocking,” but what a BRUTAL & BARBARIC way to die. What a BRUTAL & BARBARIC way to kill someone). But this is the death God allowed Stephen to die. A man who is just at the outset of his ministry. A man whose service is affecting the church in a powerful way and facilitating growth. A man who was “full of faith and of the Holy Ghost,” and “full of power” who was doing great “wonders and miracles.” A man who’s preaching was both eloquent and anointed. This man dies at the hand of the Jewish religious leaders, which causes persecution to erupt in Jerusalem and “they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria…” (8:1)
AND THIS IS THE WHOLE POINT GOD HAS BEEN “HIGHLIGHTING” FOR ME. This is not how I would’ve scripted Stephen’s story. “Don’t expect me to write the story the way you would write the story!” “My thoughts are not your thoughts; neither are your ways my ways.” (Is 65). My thoughts, ways, plans, ideas, insight, knowledge, understanding, & infinite wisdom are so far surpassing ANYTHING YOU COULD COMPREHEND. Don’t expect me to operate from your paradigm. Don’t expect me to operate from a human perspective. Don’t expect a Hollywood script that gets tied up “with a pretty bow.” You have no clue what I’m up to…what I’m doing behind the scenes in the massive expanse of eternity. TRUST WHAT YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND.
Quite honestly, my human intellect would say, “This man’s ministry needs longevity. He needs a broader platform. He needs to narrowly escape and go on to preach to the masses until he reaches a ripe old age.” That’s “my thoughts.”
But God’s thoughts were, I’m going to allow the man to pass from this life to eternity and his death will be a greater platform than any he could have in “life.” His story through the ages will be one of the greatest displays of true Christianity and forgiveness the world will ever know. The most powerful sermon Stephen will ever preach will be this: “And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’” And he kneeled down and cried with a loud voice, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.” His words sound a lot like One he followed at His own brutal death: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Forgiveness is the greatest sermon Stephen’s life could’ve ever preached. That simple sentence he spoke in the face of a cruel death has said more through the ages than a “lifelong ministry” with 1,000’s of sermons that would’ve touched the hearers of his day.
And one man heard that sentence spoken in real time: “…and the witnesses laid down their coats at a young man’s feet whose name was Saul.” (7:58). Saul was an observer and an accomplice to this gruesome scene, and he heard the sermon preached with Stephen’s death.
This Saul would, in a few chapters, become Paul. He would have an encounter with Jesus that would take him from persecutor to apostle, and we have no idea how Stephen’s death impacted both his life and ministry.
God chose a different route for Stephen; a different path than humanity would “think,” or prefer, or enact. But God had a plan. And, quite probably, a plan that we still could never fully grasp on this side of eternity.
His ways are not my ways. His thoughts are not my thoughts. I’ll trust when I can’t “track.”
Thank you for joining me for this journey!
Go grab your Bible and your journal!
I look forward to the power of this habit in your life.