Friday 11 October 2024

But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; (Acts 7:55, NASB)

It is wonderfully mysterious that we are introduced to God’s glory in the gospel narratives with the shepherds in the fields at our Lord’s birth.   The shepherds were terrified. There is no question that this was reverent fear this was terror.  This was a manifestation of God’s majesty accompanying his messengers, but God has his own brightness, majesty and significance.  The Old Testament has fire, loud sounds, earth tremors, and God’s character as well to report divine glory.  See the Sinai revelation. In Exodus 19

The wonder that grips me is that Stephen, being on trial by the Jewish high court,  sees God’s glory, and the  Risen Lord at God’s right hand, just when he is about to be sentenced to death.   He was such a committed witness to the Spirit of God that he declared what he saw.

and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:56, NASB)

Love casts out fear

As the angry and evil men in that court railed against him he was empowered to copy perfectly the example of his Lord, pleading for forgiveness for those getting ready to put him to death.  What a witness!  Just like Yeshua on the cross.

Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:60, NASB)