Calling Out the Judges

Scripture: You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets have your fathers not persecuted? They have even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, of whom you have now become the betrayers and murderers, who have received the law by the disposition of angels, but have not kept it. Acts 7:51-53

Observation: Stephen has been arrested for his faith and will be stoned to death for his belief in Jesus Christ as Messiah. However, at his trial, he gives a very interesting defense. He does not defend himself, his faith, or prove Jesus' status. He does not explain "Christianity". Instead, he walks through all of Jewish history - from Abraham's first call from God, to Moses and the exodus, to all the prophets - and arrives at one definitive summary:

By continually rejecting every element of the Holy Spirit, the Jews are unworthy to judge those being faithful to God.

The Jews have rejected God's words and promises, laws and warnings. As such, it is no wonder they have now rejected, betrayed, and murdered the Messiah. It could even be said that the greatest proof of Jesus' lordship is this ... the Jews rejected him.

The most interesting phrase is this: "You always resist the Holy Spirit." It was always by the Spirit that the prophets received the word of God. In the times of the patriarchs and prophets, the Spirit would interact with a very limited set of individuals, chosen as God's messengers to the Jews. Jesus then promised the Holy Spirit to all believers. It is true, then, that by the Jews rejecting everyone who is of the Spirit, they have had a history of reacting to and resisting the Holy Spirit itself.

Application: The Spirit always leaves a mark on people, and clearly this mark bothers others. Since the Holy Spirit was active in Israel, it bothered the Jews. Now that the Spirit is active in the entire world, it bothers so many others.

Am I truly marked? Sometimes I feel I am. However, I am not 'bothering' anyone. There have been very few times (though their HAVE been some) when someone has lashed out at me over a matter of faith. Now days, in the U.S., there is much more likely to be personal confrontation over political alignment. However, the continued persecution of the Church in general will continue.

Again, though ... am I marked by the Spirit? Am I bothering anyone? Are there people who seek to reject me personally as a reaction to my general demeanor only? Are there people angered by my light of love mixed with the salty truth?

Prayer: Lord, again I ask for your Spirit to dwell within me in true power. I know you are in my heart, and I know I believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and savior, and I know I trust the Holy Spirit. May your same Spirit shine through me and affect others. May it show everyone love, and if that love offends some, so be it. I would gladly stand beside Stephen. Amen.