Price of Courage

Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people. Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen, Cyreneans, and Alexandrians, and people from Cilicia and Asia, came forward and debated with Stephen, but they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. Then they instigated some men to say, “We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 

They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, accosted him, seized him, and brought him before the Sanhedrin. They presented false witnesses who testified, “This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law. For we have heard him claim that this Jesus the Nazorean will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.” All those who sat in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel. (Acts 6:8-15)

Stephen was the first deacon, and his fate was determined by his following Christ, as we all should.  He was stoned to death due to his outspoken behavior not appreciated by those he criticized in defense of Jesus. 

Later in Acts Stephen said to Sanhedrin: “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always oppose the holy Spirit; you are just like your ancestors. Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They put to death those who foretold the coming of the righteous one, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become. You received the law as transmitted by angels, but you did not observe it.” 

When they heard this, they were infuriated, and they ground their teeth at him.  But he, filled with the holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 

But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears, and rushed upon him together. They threw him out of the city and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them”; and when he said this, he fell asleep. 

Whenever we speak our minds, we risk being “stoned” by those who don’t like what we say, especially if our words are contrary to their perspectives and beliefs.  Those who remain mute have nothing about which to worry.  Their silence keeps them safe and often is caused by cowardice and fear of being criticized and attacked such as through social media – the craven approach.  

We all should follow Stephen’s lead and address wrongdoing when we see it.  This is especially true when our faith and Pope Francis are targeted by those with agendas tied to tearing down the good and just as opposed to building up and defending what is true and Christ-like.  Our personal challenge will be to respond like Stephen even when the odds are against us and say: “Lord, do not hold their sins against them.”

"Sticks and stones can break our bones, but words can never hurt us" is a popular expression.  So untrue.  Words can kill just as fatally as those being stoned.  Ironically, Stephens words got him killed.  That can be the price of courage and defense of our faith and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.

Deacon David Pierce