Dying A Death Full Of Life

5.12.24 Acts 7:59–60 (EHV)

59 While they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” 60 Then he fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” After he said this, he fell asleep.

It’s a rather morbid type of question, but have you ever thought about how you’re going to die? A car wreck? A heart attack? Cancer? One of the things I often hear people say is that they don’t want to see their loved ones die in pain. So when someone is dying of a prolonged disease they will be put on hospice and given morphine to keep the edge off. Loved ones stand by their side as they slowly slip off into death. I could think of worse ways to die.

Stephen’s death definitely wasn’t pain free. It was more of the Blaze of Glory style, although it certainly wasn’t glorious from an earthly perspective, having people chunk rocks at your head and body in a fit of rage. But even amid all of the ugliness and the pain, he truly dies a beautiful death, a death full of life. What a role model in how to die!

Dying a Death Full of Life

What had Stephen done to die such a painful death? Well, up to this point some Jews from the Synagogue of the Freedmen had arrested him and put him on trial before the Sanhedrin under false charges. He had done nothing but proclaim the truth about Jesus, along with doing miracles and signs. When they asked him to defend himself, Stephen gave a whole history of the Jewish people and then took the gloves off. He said to them, “You stiff-necked people, (like an dog pulling against a leash) with uncircumcised hearts and ears! (In other words, they were unwilling to listen) You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him. (Ac 7:51–52) Well, that didn’t win him any fans. But it was the final revelation that put them over the edge. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” (Ac 7:56)

Just think about that for a minute. Could you imagine being given such a vision of heaven, with Jesus standing right there! You’d want to see more! You’d be enamored with it. They say that some people have visions of heaven before they die, seeing visions of people who have gone before them with a bright light. They smile and point. Stephen got to see Jesus himself, and he couldn’t keep it in! He burst it out! There’s Jesus!

That final vision, that’s what sent his enemies over the edge. It reminds me of when Joseph told his brothers about his visions of the sun, moon and stars bowing down to him. They just became all the more angry with him. They didn’t like it one bit, so they sold him into slavery after wanting to kill him. The Sanhedrin was so angry that they went right for the kill. They literally covered their ears and screamed at Stephen, going after him in a hatred filled rage.

When you really have to point out a sin against someone, it can either end in one of two ways usually. They will usually either get angry with you or they will repent. Or maybe they will get angry and then repent. It’s kind of scary, but James 5:20 says, “Remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” It’s the brother that has a drinking problem, the spouse that has a spending problem, the child that has a porn problem . . . you know they’re probably going to get angry at you. But out of love you have to call them out. You have to let them know that what they’re doing is wrong, even though it may cost you a friendship. Speak the truth in love. (Eph 4:15)

I see something similar happen on media, when someone is protesting for some cause that they deem to be righteous. The interviewer comes and asks a few questions that challenge the narrative. They don’t know how to answer, so they just get angry and shout the same slogan over and over. “Trans lives are human lives!” “We believe in free choice!” They have no other response than anger and yelling, and ultimately violence. Throw some paint on a timeless painting. Take down a statue. Get in your face and threaten your life. Anger! Protest!