59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:59-60)
There is a certain way to die in movies. As the end closes in, the camera pans into a back alley, a battlefield, or a hospital as a character utters one last piece of advice or regret that gives the story an extra shot of the dramatic. What is said here, is what brings the movie together while uncovering hidden motives for character development. Nothing this character did before has any meaning, for he is now remembered by his departing words.
We find this with Stephen.
There is something about the story of Stephen that we love. As perhaps the first martyr post resurrection, his story is intriguing because of its discomfort. His death, like many in Scripture, is unsettling. In our modern times, it is difficult to understand why such a gruesome death would befit a man whose only crime is protected by our own freedom of speech. Coupled with the understanding we have of being stoned to death, and we have a story that grabs hold of our minds and shakes our souls.
“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit”. I am scared but I know you are my only hope. Where you are, is where I want to be. It is essentially an early version of “Jesus, take the wheel”. Death was imminent and the end credits were on their way.
“Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” The people who murdered Stephen were sinners lost in bloodlust. They were not vindicated nor were they righteous. Stephen had every right to curse, condemn, and go out in a tirade of anger. But he doesn’t. He used his last words to model Christ like behavior which puts others, even murderers, before himself. Perhaps this is the only reason we are familiar with this story. If Stephen reacts out of his humanity, maybe he is blotted from history. It is our last scene that makes our beginnings worth watching.
Lord, today please receive me. My hurt, anger, humanity, and doubt are yours. Show me how to live a life with a compelling ending. Forgive me and those around me who don’t know any better. Help me to end well.
Matt simon blog 