To Die For

Stephen was the first Christian martyr. Not really a happy thought heading in to the long weekend, but as I’m preaching about him Sunday for my series on key people of the early church, I’ve started looking in to him more.

There are interesting things going on with his story, found in Acts 6 and 7. He was a respected follower of Jesus who, because the apostles were too busy to distribute food to the poor, was made a deacon along with six others. The Greek (read Gentile) community of believers complaining that their widows are being neglected by the Jewish apostles. Stephen, who is assumed to be a Jew, willingly took on caring for them and became known as an evangelist who preached in synagogues.

We see the beginnings of church structure and hierarchy of roles here, and also hierarchy of communities within the fledgling church. There was perception of unequal treatment, of Jews having preference for services and care. And those charged with overseeing the community realized that they didn’t have the time or energy to do it all. Middle management was needed and the role of deacon created.

As I transition from working with pastoral sized churches (often defined as worship attendance 50-150) to a family sized church (worship attendance under 50), there are important shifts I need to make. The context is so much different, and the type of leadership needed and expectations as well. One is not better than the other, but there are marked distinctions. With fewer people to draw on in a family sized church, many wear several hats and everyone is needed to do something. Each one is known and their gifts utilized, whereas typically in pastoral sized churches people can more easily fly under the radar.

Stephen managed to convert many to the Way of Jesus which did not sit well with the Jewish authorities. He ends up pulled in front of the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem, the highest court of Jewish leadership. Rather than towing the line to save himself, he risked it all sharing the gospel and interpreting the Torah and how it points to Christ. His questioning of what they believed to be true was considered blasphemy. It angered those in power so much he was taken outside and stoned. Even as he died, similar to Jesus, he prayed for his attackers.

There are many loud voices today trying to convince the powers that be of injustices being done, of inequities and unfairness, of life and death issues. There is much division, disinformation and miscommunication as well as advocacy, righteous anger and passionate cries for mercy. I can’t help but think of this as I picture Stephen on trial, so in love with the cause of Jesus and willing to put it all on the line to the point of death. As he was dying he looked and saw Jesus ready to welcome him into glory.

I can’t escape the question of how far would I go for Jesus - to the point of discomfort? torture? death? Would I be willing to risk losing absolutely everything - work, family, friends, dignity - for the sake of Christ? I’m not sure how many of us would return the ultimate gift which was given freely for us.

Perhaps we aren’t all called to be Stephens in the world, but we are called to share whatever gifts, blessings, talents and insights God has given us to the glory of Jesus and for the kingdom of heaven. We are called to cut through the noise and to identify where Jesus is and to keep pointing there. And when we are invited home, finally, may it be Jesus we see as we cross over, smiling and welcoming us.