Heavens Open (Stephen's Song)

The Story

Most of us fear what people think more than we would admit. We soften our convictions at work, laugh along, or stay quiet, because rejection feels unbearable. Stephen was a servant in the early church, known for grace and power. When he spoke about Jesus, religious leaders brought false witnesses against him. He answered by telling Israel’s story and showing how they had always resisted God’s messengers, and now they had killed the Righteous One.

They were furious. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Elsewhere Christ is pictured seated, His work complete. Here He stands, as if rising to receive His servant and to speak for him. As the stones fell, Stephen prayed for his killers, echoing his Lord on the cross. Watching was a young man named Saul, who would later meet the same Jesus and become Paul. Stephen’s courage was not a personality trait. It came from seeing Jesus as his advocate. John writes that if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. When you know who is speaking for you in heaven, the verdict of the crowd loses its grip.

Associated Scripture

Acts 7:55-56 (ESV): "But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’"

1 John 2:1 (ESV): "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."