Daily Journal for Wednesday 28th October 2009

A STIFF NECKED PEOPLE

S - You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers. You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him - you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it". Acts 7:51-55

O - The context for this outburst came from an amazing man - Stephen - chosen by the twelve disciples of Jesus to tend to the care of the widows of the followers of Jesus. He was said to be full of faith and the Holy Spirit. Stephen seemed to have an extraordinary close relationship with Jesus, as at one time, after being interrorgated by the Sanhedrin, his face was like that of an angel. He explained to the Pharisees and Sanhedrin, the entire story of the Old Testament in relation to the coming of Moses and the giving of the Law. As you read, you are drawn into this, and hear and see God's plan for redemption. The Pharisees and Sanhedrin would have known this story well, and been pleased with the knowledge of Stephen. The story was predictable and expected. Then, BANG! Stephen, one so full of grace and angelic disposition, levels this tirade at the religious leaders. He is essentially accusing them of murder. They are stiff-necked and refuse to hear truth, as their hearts are hardened. Here there is no sweetening of the truth. As a result, they stone him.

A - How often our own walk with Christ seems to flow in predictability and the known. How very rarely do we step out into a place of danger and risk, and really tell the truth. The truth that people are really going to hell if they don't follow Jesus. That we all have blood on our hands, because of our unregenerated hearts when we refuse to hear the message of the Gospel of Christ. That before we came to Christ, we too, were guilty of murder; murdering through lack of faith and disbelief, the Righteous One.

P - Dear Heavenly Father, Help me to be more bold in explaining to people, the whole truth of the message of salvation. That there is grace, but there is also a sobering truth to your message. Help us to become people who are not frightened by men, but to see you, and speak your message, I pray. Amen.

Daily Readings from Acts 6&7