Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Devotion - Wednesday, August 29

One approach to "knowing our Bibles better" is to learn the significant stories in the Bible.  This is not meant to say that some of the stories aren't important, merely that some stories allow us to create a framework on which we can hang the other stories - thus come to understand the whole.

The story of Stephen (in my opinion) would be one of these.  It is in the 6th chapter of Acts.

Stephen is the first martyr.  He is the first person, in the New Testament, who is executed because of his devotion to Christ.  Many will follow.  I consider the story of Stephen one of the "significant" stories because of his martyrdom.  We need to know that following Jesus brought many to their deaths.

We probably won't (though we might) face death as a result of our following Jesus, but we will need to make choices.  And those choices will put us out of step with those around us.  Being out of step with those around us will open us to ridicule.  We need to know the story of Stephen, in order to be prepared to stand for the Truth, even when the Truth isn't popular.  The followers of Jesus will forever be called to some degree of martyrdom.

The other part of the story which makes it significant (in my eyes) is the way in which Stephen is singled out.  His name arises when the assembled fellowship needs someone to wait tables.  Yes, Stephen's appointed task among the faithful was to serve the evening meal and clean up the dishes.

The tasks to which we are called are many and varied.  The tasks to which we are called are our offering to God.  The Apostles select Stephen (and six others) to be waiters, so that they (the Apostles) can "preach the word."  

No task, in the Kingdom of God, is unimportant.  Sometimes it is those in (what might seem to us to be) the lowest of stations who become the greatest witness to Christ.  And when we are looking for persons to emulate and admire, we need to remember that they are seldom the one standing up front or in the higher seats.  It is the ones whom Jesus refers to as "the least among us."

If you don't know Stephen's story, take three minutes and read it, in Acts 6.  It is a story helpful to know.

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