When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves. (Luke 23:33-34, NASB)
When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul. They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:58-60, NASB)
To forgive is difficult. It must be, because Jesus talked about it. But He also forgave the people who horribly tortured Him, then crucified Him. He set the example of ultimate forgiveness. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, followed Jesus’ example.
When Jesus’ disciples asked Him how they should pray, He answered with what we now know as “The Lord’s Prayer.” Immediately following, the one point He emphasized was forgiveness. He said that if we do not learn to forgive others for the wrongs they commit against us, then neither will God forgives. If you have prayed to ask Jesus Christ to be Lord of your life, then you have been forgiven beyond what you know. Because God the Father has forgiven us, then so should we forgive others.
Stephen was appointed one of seven men in the early Jerusalem church to serve meals to the widows of Hellenistic Jews, who were being overlooked. He is described as “a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 6:1-5) Stephen upset some men at a local synagogue, who were angry at what he was teaching. They brought false charges against him and dragged him off before the Temple Council. (Acts 6:6-15) Stephen’s defense before the Council was a sermon, which made them even angrier. (Acts 7:1-56) As mentioned in the second passage above, they dragged him out of the city to execute him.
(Saul, later known as Paul, is mentioned as taking part in the stoning.) But as the stones were raining down on Stephen, he followed the example of his Lord Jesus. His last act was to forgive: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
Jesus, then Stephen, forgave their tormentors as their final acts. What wonderful examples to follow! God has forgiven us; so should we forgive others. Jesus told us to love God, and love other people. Forgiveness seems to me to be a product of that love.
Father, just as you have forgiven me, please help me to forgive those who have wronged me. Please reveal those who I can’t think of. Please help me to remember the examples in your holy word of Jesus and Stephen, both of whom suffered far worse than I. In Jesus’ name I pray.
Worship: “Drops In the Ocean,” by Hawk Nelson