Daily Devotion, August 17, 2020

Devotion: Read Acts 7:54 - 8:3.

When Stephen preached before the Jewish Sanhedrin, he concluded by telling them they had betrayed and murdered the “Righteous One,” the Christ. In a fit of rage, the members of the Sanhedrin rushed at Stephen, dragged him out of the city, and stoned him to death. The Roman authorities had taken away the right of the Jews to execute anyone (this is why they had taken Jesus to Pontius Pilate for execution). In their anger, they forgot this and illegally and brutally executed Stephen. Laying their coats at the feet of Saul likely indicated that Saul was leading the charges against Stephen, but we know from verse 8:1 that he at least approved of their actions.

This passage introduces Saul (later to be Paul) and tells us how he proceeded to imprison believers in an attempt to destroy the church. Saul’s conversion in a later chapter will seem to be totally sudden with no forewarning. But Saul had witnessed Stephen’s incredible faith in the agonizing moments just before his death, even praying Christlike for forgiveness for those who were killing him. I wonder if Saul’s acts of violence were partially driven by his need to rid his mind of that scene. One can only imagine what impact Stephen’s witness had on preparing Saul to meet Christ. Personal Worship Option: This passage shows the dark side of Saul without Christ and helps us see the power of his conversion. Reflect on your own life before you knew Christ or what it would be like today without Christ. Pray for the opportunity to share what Christ means to you. Like Stephen’s, your witness may open the door to Christ for someone.