Before the (supreme) Court  

   Yesterday, we left off with Stephen (just a deacon)) standing alone before the Sanhedrin, accused of blasphemy. A serious charge in those times. 

   The high priest asked him, "Are these charges true?"  

   Stephen answered by reviewing their history, beginning with Abraham. Then - Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, Moses the exodus. 

   The desert experience, Joshua, the Promised Land, and David. So far, so good. Then he quoted Scripture (Acts 7:48-50) and said - oh oh - 

   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 ... but have not obeyed it. 

   The court became furious. Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Look, he said, I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.

   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. (Saul, who Jesus later renamed Paul, witnessed and approved.) 

   Did Stephen react as we might, shaking his fist and calling them names?

   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. 

Tomorrow: Cancel culture - then and today.