At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Have you ever played a game with someone and it seems like they are playing on a totally different level? This happens to me every time I play someone in chess. I seem to do pretty good at other strategy games, but chess is one I just can’t seem to win. It seems like my opponent is thinking ten moves ahead and I am thinking two or three moves ahead. They play with the end in mind, I play to win individual battles. Every time I think I have a good chance at checkmate, a piece I wasn’t even considering will jump seemingly out of the board to thwart my plans and turn the tide of the game.

This seems to me what is happening here in this scene. The Pharisees and Steven were living life on different planes, with different scoring methods, and with value assessed differently. On earth, the Pharisees were trying to keep power, wealth, and prestige. They were willing to kill an innocent man and ignore his words, just like they did to Jesus, to accomplish their end goal.

But just like me playing chess, they were only thinking a few moves ahead. Meanwhile, Steven was playing the game of life on a different level. He followed the Holy Spirit and spoke truth. The Holy Spirit thinks beyond this earth and our time here … into eternity.

Stephen’s death was defeat in the world’s eyes, so it seemed in the moment. But physical death for speaking the truth about Jesus and his power to save, would bring eternal life to Stephen and to so many more. His impact has been multiplied throughout the generations since then.

He was like a pine cone, which must be burned up to allow the seeds to release and be seeded. Stephen’s death as a martyr spread out the seed of the gospel on fertile soil for many more to follow Jesus unto eternal life! 

What does it look like for me to live life at a different level more frequently (or all the time)? How would this truth change my conversations, interactions, and attitudes?

Lord, thank you for Stephen and his passion to preach the gospel, to call out evil, and for his focus on the eternal glory of his actions. He truly lived life on a spiritual level. May you work this way in me more consistently.  Then I can see through the power of your Holy Spirit, the impact of living as one who has nothing to lose!