At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
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. (Acts 7: 54-60)
Stephen gets credit for being the first Christian martyr. Why did Stephen have to die? Jesus came to earth to die, but that wasn't the end of his story. He endured the cross because he knew reality beyond this world exists, and his ultimate goal is within that other reality. That's where he wants us to set our goals as well. Stephen understood this, and he never asked why. Stephen's response to his coming death was almost identical to Christ's death on the cross. When Stephen saw Jesus, it was a reminder that God was pleased with his actions, and God had everything under control. As we deal with persecution, we must remember there's more to life than what we now experience.
How does understanding our final destination change the way we deal with pain and suffering here on earth?
Ask Jesus to show you how to live with your real future in mind.
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