Acts 7:54-8:3 | Imitating JesusSýnishorn

Following the death of Stephen, a great persecution broke out against the church. Clearly, the Sanhedrin did not regard believers in Jesus as a sect within Judaism. The tension has been growing as the threats against the apostles have been escalating. Now, the dam finally breaks.

Strangely, the persecution pushed into effect Jesus’s commission to the apostles. Earlier in Acts, Jesus told them they would be his witnesses “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Up until now, they all stayed in Jerusalem. But now, it’s happening! Acts tells us that “all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.” The disciples, along with their message of King Jesus, were spreading.

It seems that the death of Stephen and the trauma of persecution resulted in a strangely-wrapped gift, God’s message of hope being spread to others in the world. It’s important to emphasize that trauma is not a gift. Persecution is not a gift. The loss of Stephen is not a gift. But God takes awful things–terrible things and evil things–and has the power to bring about good through them. Even evil cannot stop Jesus. As one 2nd century follower of Jesus named Tertullian put it, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”

Jesus knew his suffering and death would bring redemption and hope to the world. Being like Jesus means knowing that through ours, God can do the same.