And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison. Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.

When we are called to sacrifice it all for the sake of the good news about Jesus, those we leave behind are left in mourning. We see this here with Stephen and the early church. They loved him and mourned him. But they did not remain in mourning, they activated their faith, following in Stephen’s footsteps.

Paul prays this for the believers in Ephesus: “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” (‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭1‬:‭18‬-‭21‬)

His point is that we have access to the same power of God as Jesus did. Stephen believed this and acted on it.  And in power his witness to Jesus expanded and the gospel spread.

I do find it interesting that God used religious persecution to spread the gospel. Saul attacked the church, they were forced to scatter to survive. Think about it … they lost their careers, their homes, their land, the closeness of their friends, their connections and resources, and their safety and security.

But instead of being silenced in fear, they preached the gospel in honor of their Savior Jesus and his servant Stephen! They preached boldly wherever they were replanted.

Will I act on the fact that God’s Spirit calls me to confront evil and proclaim his truth? How will I respond when all in this life is taken from me?

Lord, this is such a powerful example of sold-out followers of Jesus. Do the deep heart surgery in me to prepare me to make such dynamic sacrifices for you and your name, as Stephen did! I want to see you move in my life and the lives of those around me in bigger and bigger ways!