A Year in Luke/ActsSample

Notice the correlation of Stephen’s trial and the results with Jesus. Stephen is taken before the council with false testimony, just like Jesus. Stephen is dragged out of the city to be killed, just like Jesus. Stephen commits his spirit and asks for the forgiveness of his killers, just like Jesus. With all these details, we can see that Stephen is joining in the Way of Jesus, even unto death. The image that he sees of Jesus standing as the Great High Priest, interceding on his child’s behalf, is moving and powerful. Often, Jesus is described as seated at the right hand of the Father in his victory, but here he is standing to welcome this martyr.

The word martyr actually comes from the Greek word martur which means “witness.” Stephen becomes a witness to what it means to follow the way of Jesus to the point of giving one’s life as a testimony to his lordship.