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Acts 7, part 2 - Questions for reflection & prayer

This week we finished looking at the story of Stephen in the Book of Acts, including his martyrdom at the hands of his opponents (Acts 7:54-60).

Here we see Stephen living out what Jesus wants and teaches us all to do:  to love our enemies.  As the crowd rushes towards him in anger and as they stone him, Stephen calls out for the Lord to forgive them for what they are doing - thereby mirroring Jesus' own ability to love even in his most difficult situation.

This is probably the hardest thing for any of us to do:  to love those who are working against us.  This is where we truly see that loving like Jesus is not an emotion.  It's a courageous act that requires tremendous resolve.

When we do this, we move beyond simply loving as we are often encouraged to do in our culture:  to love those who are like us.  We usually love where we know there will be a return on our investment.  Jesus' talks about this cultural way of loving in the Sermon on the Mount (Mt. 5:43):  "love your neighbors and hate your enemies."

Jesus, though, asks us to "love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute you" (Mt. 5:44).

This means loving when it will cost us and loving those in our lives who will either not be able to repay us or to love those who are out to get us.

Where in your life are you struggling to love someone right now?  What is making it hard?  Do you feel like the person is challenging you, or do you just not feel like you have the time or energy needed?

There is a direct connection between the fact that Stephen has been spending time allowing God to dwell deeply within him and his ability to love the world around him.  What is a direct thing you can do this week allowing God to shape your heart and mind?  

Many commentators are very interested in the fact that Jesus is standing at the right hand of God when Stephen sees him in the heavenly glory.  Many believe that this is a sign of Jesus standing as a judge/intercessor in this situation.  In other words, Jesus is seeing the wrong being done to Stephen, and he is judging Stephen (and his actions) as praiseworthy.

Another way to say this is that Jesus is giving Stephen a standing ovation.  

During this time of year we often see such displays of approval:  at children's Christmas plays, at Cantata's and Christmas musical performances.

What a wonderful image:  Jesus applauds us when we go out of our way to stand up for him and to extend love even to our enemies!

Where in your life can you see an opportunity to love someone in such a way so as to make Jesus proud of your actions?  Try using this image in prayer as a way to encourage you to go that extra step and love beyond what you feel you can normally do.

What situations around us do you feel most need us as Christians giving our love to our enemies?

1.  Trying to show love and praying for those who may hold different political or Christian beliefs than us on major issues.

2.  Finding a way as Christians and as churches to reach out and embrace refugees from war torn areas.

3.  Loving those who are much closer to us when things become heated or challenging - especially members of our own family or colleagues at work.  

Take a moment to read Stephen's story again from Acts 7:54-60.  Read, reflect upon what word, image or statement captures your attention.

Imagine yourself acting this way in that situation that has been challenging to you of late or in that conversation you are dreading.

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