Wednesday Devo
Scripture:
Acts 7:57-58
57 Then they put their hands over their ears and began shouting. They rushed at him 58 and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul.
57 Then they put their hands over their ears and began shouting. They rushed at him 58 and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul.
Commentary:
7:58 It is debated whether Stephen was formally stoned by order of the Sanhedrin or killed by mob violence. The fact that he was appearing before that body (6:12) would favor the former, but the precipitous nature of the stoning suggests mob behavior. Also, under Roman rule the Sanhedrin did not have the legal right to execute without Roman concurrence (see John 18:31).
Questions:
- As they stoned Stephen, he prayed two prayers. One was for Jesus to receive his spirit, and the other was that Jesus would forgive the sins of those stoning him. Right there, present at this execution, was a young man named Saul, soon to be Paul. He most likely played a major role in the stoning of Stephen, and he would be the one to lead a massive wave of persecution that was to follow. Saul would eventually have his own encounter with Jesus, but you have to wonder if what he had just seen and heard - namely the passion and conviction of Stephen, and the defenselessness and grace he showed as he died - had anything to do with Saul's heart change that was to come. Did it plant a seed? When it comes to your day to day life, what do people see when they look at you? Are you living in such a way that seeds are planted in others?
- Stephen died for Jesus so that others might live for Jesus. Stephen was willing to die so that others might live. What would you be willing to endure for YOUR faith? What kinds of discomfort or danger might you be willing to suffer in order that others might come to know Jesus?
Prayer Topics:
- That you would be a seed planter.
- That you would develop a faith that can endure anything.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
3. Why did Jesus have to die on the cross? Since “all have sinned” and the “wages of sin is death,” Jesus had to die on the cross to pay the fine for my sin so I could be right with God.
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
No Comments