Of all the stories in the New Testament excepting the crucifixion of Jesus, few are more powerful than that of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. His faith and courage, and the nature of his death, have amazed and inspired many, and few of us, I suspect, cannot have been humbled by his example. We talk sometimes, all too glibly, of giving our all in the service of Christ, whereas the reality is that we are reluctant to give even a little. Make no mistake, it was not easy for Stephen . As the following session from my book No Ordinary Man explores, he was as human as you and I. All the more, then, his example of selfless discipleship presents a challenge to us all concerning the depth and sincerity of our commitment.
Reading: Acts 6:8-10, 12-15
Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and others of those from Cilicia and Asia, stood up and argued with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke . . . They stirred up the people as well as the elders and the scribes; then they suddenly confronted him, seized him, and brought him before the council. They set up false witnesses who said, ‘This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses handed on to us.’ And all who sat in the council looked intently at him, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
The meditation of Stephen
I’m too young to die,
far, far too young!
There’s still so much to live for,
so much I want to do,
so much I’ve barely started.
It’s not that I’m afraid of death,
don’t get me wrong.
It’s just that I love life
and I don’t want to let it go unless I have to.
I love the sound of birds singing in the trees,
the wind whispering through the grass,
children laughing in the street.
I love the sight of clouds scudding across the sky,
the sun setting across the ocean,
the trees laden with summer fruits.
I love the feel of water fresh upon my skin,
the smell of flowers dancing in the breeze,
the taste of food, steaming from the oven.
I love the joy of sharing with my family,
the pleasure of being among friends,
the warmth of Christian fellowship –
so much that is good which I just don’t want to lose.
So why throw it away, I hear you ask me?
Why take a path that surely leads to death?
I’ve asked that too, believe me, countless times,
searching for another way,
an easier way that doesn’t cost so much.
And yet although I wish there was,
I know deep down there isn’t.
I could have steered a different course –
no doubt that’s true –
denied my faith or kept it under wraps.
I could have toned my message down or run away,
not trod on toes or taken risks.
Yet what if Christ had done the same, I ask you that –
put safety first and not caused such a stir?
What future then would we have had?
What hope, what joy, what faith to share?
But no, he gave his all,
despite the pain,
despite the fear,
despite the sorrow –
pursuing the way of love even to the cross.
That’s why I’m here now,
jostled by the crowds,
dragged through the streets,
waiting for the stones to fly.
I don’t want to die,
but neither did Jesus.
I’m too young to die,
but so was he.
I want to live,
for I love life,
passionately,
deeply –
but the thing is I love Jesus even more,
just as he loved me.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ,
it is easy to talk of taking up our cross and following you,
but the reality is different.
We find it hard to deny ourselves even a little,
let alone to give our all.
There is so much we enjoy in life,
so much we want to do, so much we want to achieve,
and the thought of sacrificing any of that
is one we would rather push aside.
Yet you have taught us that it is in losing our lives we truly find them,
and that lasting treasures are to be found not on earth but in heaven.
Help us then not to cling slavishly to what we have,
but to give it freely,
just as you gave yourself for us.
Amen.