Stephen
He was chosen to assist the apostles in Jerusalem
With others who demonstrated their Spirit led wisdom.
With joy he sought to meet the needs of the poor.
He displayed his faith as he served Jesus his Lord.
For as he shared out the food he also shared God's word.
His ministrations to their needs gained for him the approval
Of all who saw that he served them with love and grace.
But others were jealous of him and they lied bare faced
Stirring up a mob, just as had happened to Jesus before
By the Sanhedrin he stood accused - he had broken God's law.
Even they then were struck by his assurance and grace,
As the look of an angel seemed to spread over his face.
Moved by the Spirit he outlined God's dealings with man,
From Abraham,Jacob, and Joseph to the rescue by Moses
He showed that from the beginning God was fulfilling His plan.
He continued with the history of the people of Israel
Which often incurred the condemnation of the prophets.
Reminding them of Isaiah's dire warnings of judgement
Proclaiming that their attitude had not yet changed
For the death of the Christ they were to be blamed!
This statement caused an immediate reaction of fury,
He was dragged away with the intention to stone him.
As the stones rained down on his body he looked up to see
The Lord Jesus standing, as if to say 'come and join me'
This vision enabled him to pray ' Lord please forgive them'
We may not be called upon to give up our life in this way,
But the call for us to uphold the truth remains to this day.
God's love requires that we are to care for the poor,
To obey His commands and place our trust in the Lord.
That we, like Stephen, receive our eternal reward.
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