Stephen saw Jesus in heaven

Grietje Commelin

“But 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.” (Acts 7:55 NIV)

The story of Stephen is both shocking and comforting. He was one of the first Christians, “full of God’s grace and power” (Acts 6:8, NIV). With great boldness, he proclaimed the Lord Jesus, and God confirmed his message through miraculous signs. This attracted attention—not only from people who were open to the gospel, but also from fierce opponents. Through false testimony, they had Stephen arrested.

When he was given the opportunity to defend himself, Stephen did not hold back. He delivered a powerful speech, accusing the Jewish council of betraying and murdering Jesus, the Righteous One (see Acts 7:52). Unsurprisingly, his words filled them with fury.

Then, in the midst of this dramatic scene, we read today’s verse. Stephen looked up and saw the glory of God. He saw Jesus standing at God’s right hand.

When he told the crowd what he saw, their rage only increased. They dragged him outside the city and stoned him to death. Yet until his final breath, Stephen continued speaking to Jesus as though He were standing right beside him: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” (Acts 7:59, NIV).

What strikes me most is that, in the middle of such terrible violence, Stephen experienced deep inner peace because he saw Jesus. Is the presence of Jesus that real to you? How does that shape the way you face life’s circumstances?

Stephen saw Jesus in heaven

“But 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.” (Acts 7:55 NIV)

The story of Stephen is both shocking and comforting. He was one of the first Christians, “full of God’s grace and power” (Acts 6:8, NIV). With great boldness, he proclaimed the Lord Jesus, and God confirmed his message through miraculous signs. This attracted attention—not only from people who were open to the gospel, but also from fierce opponents. Through false testimony, they had Stephen arrested.

When he was given the opportunity to defend himself, Stephen did not hold back. He delivered a powerful speech, accusing the Jewish council of betraying and murdering Jesus, the Righteous One (see Acts 7:52). Unsurprisingly, his words filled them with fury.

Then, in the midst of this dramatic scene, we read today’s verse. Stephen looked up and saw the glory of God. He saw Jesus standing at God’s right hand.

When he told the crowd what he saw, their rage only increased. They dragged him outside the city and stoned him to death. Yet until his final breath, Stephen continued speaking to Jesus as though He were standing right beside him: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” (Acts 7:59, NIV).

What strikes me most is that, in the middle of such terrible violence, Stephen experienced deep inner peace because he saw Jesus. Is the presence of Jesus that real to you? How does that shape the way you face life’s circumstances?

📁 ,
Stephen saw Jesus in heaven
Grietje Commelin

“But 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.” (Acts 7:55 NIV)

The story of Stephen is both shocking and comforting. He was one of the first Christians, “full of God’s grace and power” (Acts 6:8, NIV). With great boldness, he proclaimed the Lord Jesus, and God confirmed his message through miraculous signs. This attracted attention—not only from people who were open to the gospel, but also from fierce opponents. Through false testimony, they had Stephen arrested.

When he was given the opportunity to defend himself, Stephen did not hold back. He delivered a powerful speech, accusing the Jewish council of betraying and murdering Jesus, the Righteous One (see Acts 7:52). Unsurprisingly, his words filled them with fury.

Then, in the midst of this dramatic scene, we read today’s verse. Stephen looked up and saw the glory of God. He saw Jesus standing at God’s right hand.

When he told the crowd what he saw, their rage only increased. They dragged him outside the city and stoned him to death. Yet until his final breath, Stephen continued speaking to Jesus as though He were standing right beside him: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” (Acts 7:59, NIV).

What strikes me most is that, in the middle of such terrible violence, Stephen experienced deep inner peace because he saw Jesus. Is the presence of Jesus that real to you? How does that shape the way you face life’s circumstances?

Stephen saw Jesus in heaven

“But 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.” (Acts 7:55 NIV)

The story of Stephen is both shocking and comforting. He was one of the first Christians, “full of God’s grace and power” (Acts 6:8, NIV). With great boldness, he proclaimed the Lord Jesus, and God confirmed his message through miraculous signs. This attracted attention—not only from people who were open to the gospel, but also from fierce opponents. Through false testimony, they had Stephen arrested.

When he was given the opportunity to defend himself, Stephen did not hold back. He delivered a powerful speech, accusing the Jewish council of betraying and murdering Jesus, the Righteous One (see Acts 7:52). Unsurprisingly, his words filled them with fury.

Then, in the midst of this dramatic scene, we read today’s verse. Stephen looked up and saw the glory of God. He saw Jesus standing at God’s right hand.

When he told the crowd what he saw, their rage only increased. They dragged him outside the city and stoned him to death. Yet until his final breath, Stephen continued speaking to Jesus as though He were standing right beside him: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” (Acts 7:59, NIV).

What strikes me most is that, in the middle of such terrible violence, Stephen experienced deep inner peace because he saw Jesus. Is the presence of Jesus that real to you? How does that shape the way you face life’s circumstances?

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