A sermon by Senior Minister, John B. McCall, July 25, 2010
Acts 6:8-15
Acts 7:1-60
Acts 8:1-3
In the early days of the Christian community, as the Gospel message was taking root, there were both Jews and Greeks in Jerusalem who wanted to follow the rabbi Jesus. But they didn’t agree on some important matters.
There were many more Hebrews than Hellenists, according to Acts, and the Hellenists or Greeks (who were from “away”) complained that the Jews were looking after the needs of their own when it was time to distribute food and other goods to the poorest among them. The Greek elderly and widowed were getting passed over.
In typical church fashion, the Jewish Christians said to the Greek Christians “we’re busy with spiritual matters; appoint your own servants to distribute the support to the widows and orphans, so you can be sure it’s fair.”
Stephen was one of seven Greek-speaking followers of Jesus who served the small Christian community in Jerusalem. They were commonly called Deacons – from the Greek diakonia simply meaning “servants.”
Stephen is described as a young man full of grace and power who spoke eloquently of God’s mighty deeds through Jesus Christ. He maintained a high profile and refused to be silent. He also made enemies of some of the powerful Jewish leaders of the synagogue. When they debated, no one could beat him. And he was persuading many good and pious people to embrace the Good News.
So the temple leaders schemed to silence him. They recruited false witnesses and arrested Stephen for blasphemy against Moses and God. They took him before the Temple Court and the high priest said “are these things so?” In response Stephen spoke eloquently of God’s mighty deeds and reviewed the history of the people from God’s call to Abraham right up to the building of Solomon’s temple in Jerusalem (Acts 7:1-47)
Then, Stephen declared: “but the Most High does not dwell in houses made with human hands… You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are forever opposing the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do. Which of the prophets did your ancestors not prosecute?”
With that the angry crowd turned on him, proving his point that they persecuted every prophet. They dragged him from the city outside and stoned him until he died. As he drew his last breath Stephen said “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” The year was 33 AD, and Stephen’s death began another wave of persecutions as Rome sought to quiet this movement, this revolution.
A few centuries later Stephen was one of the first to be canonized a Saint in the Roman Catholic tradition; the patron saint of deacons, horses, stone masons and casket builders. And with an almost humorous twist he’s the patron to whom you pray for relief of a headache – a common problem when you’ve been stoned… I’m told.
Stephen the Martyr… but what do most of us know about martyrs, martyrs of any kind? Maybe the word brings to mind the neurotic mother-in-law jokes… “How many mothers-in-law does it take to change a light bulb?” Answer: “Oh, don’t mind me, I’ll just sit in the dark!”
We easily forget that countless people have been martyred for their faith and still suffer for what they believe. The word “martyr” is Greek, meaning “witness;” holding your convictions with such determination that life itself is worth less than the truth you know:
• Joan of Arc, executed in 1431, was a martyr for the freedom of France;
• Dietrich Bonhoeffer, executed by the Nazis in 1945, was a martyr for justice;
• Martin Luther King, assassinated in 1968, was a martyr for civil rights for all;
Each holding the truth of Christian convictions above personal security and life itself.
So, too, this very day there are martyrs in foreign lands whose faith in Jesus Christ puts them at odds with the powers of other religions or their governments – who are then imprisoned or executed for refusing to fall silent.
The claim of the Gospel is the same today as ever:
• that it matters – deeply and ultimately – that Jesus lived among us and
• that it matters – deeply and ultimately – that we open our hearts to the promises of the faith;
• living in right relationship with God and living in right relationship with each other leading us to healing, wholeness and abundant life.
To do that, we have to know who Jesus is through worship, scripture, meditation, and reflection. And we must witness to who Jesus is through generosity, service to others, and justice-seeking.
This story of Stephen reminds us that there is an inevitable tension, even conflict, between the old ways and the new ways. Stephen’s preaching stirred up the people and lit a fire in their hearts.
That passion was certainly a gift from God but it was also a threat to the established and entrenched powers of the temple.
Incumbents rarely appreciate competition – they’ve worked long and hard to build relationships and curry favor. It’s still true.
Then, this story demonstrates again that faith changes lives and that we’re changed when we witness someone else’s strong faith. Maybe you noticed the brief reference in today’s reading to the young man who stood at the edge of the crowd and held the cloaks of the men who were casting the stones.
His name was Saul and he was there because he thoroughly approved of the penalty imposed on young Stephen for his blasphemy. He became a ruthless persecutor of the first followers of this Jesus the Christ.
Years later, the same man – now the Christian apostle named Paul – was in prison for his faith. There he looked back over his ministry and surely recalled the day he stood as a silent witness when Stephen was stoned. And that example of faith was surely part of what opened the great Apostle to the movement of God’s spirit.
Most of us will never be taken to task for our faith. We’ll never face an angry mob. We’ll quietly go about our business, and try to treat people with respect and kindness.
But Stephen’s story prompts me to ask: if someone encounters you or me, will they know that we follow Jesus Christ? That we’re not just being nice or kind but that we’re being disciples?
Years ago, the Franciscan order ran TV ads that simply said: “if it were illegal to be a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” A powerful question.
As I’ve said so many times – what you believe matters. Being able to articulate God’s work in your life is part of a mature faith. But much more important is what you do… how you live… how you witness… how you embody the faith you claim. The way you tell what a person really believes is the way that person acts. What you do, how you treat other people, what you value – these are the true indicators of your faith.
We don’t spend a lot of time and energy on crafting lofty liturgy or teaching fine theological language or debating how many angels can dance on the head of a pin.
Our worship and community life are much more focused on equipping us to live as disciples – giving and receiving the assurance that God lifts our burdens, forgives our sins and opens our hearts to the new life that Jesus Christ embodied.
Stephen, full of grace and courage, reminds us to be bold believers and in all things to measure our lives by the love of God shown in Jesus Christ.