What Will You Stand For?

"Things do exist that are worth standing up for without compromise. To me it seems that peace and social justice are such things,

as is Christ Himself." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

The story of the first martyr of the Christian faith is told in Acts 7. A martyr is someone who dies for their belief in Jesus. In the early church, martyrs were revered for their steadfast faith, even to the point of torture, suffering, and death. Those who gave their lives for Jesus believed they were called to do so, and believed it was an honor. Their deaths often encouraged others to remain in the faith or to come to faith.

Martyrdom, by the way, is not just something which happened back in the Roman Empire. There are still people martyred today. All around the world, Christians are persecuted for their faith - thrown in prison, cast out of their homes, beaten, assaulted, "disappeared", killed publicly and painfully. In the areas where persecution is widespread, passion for Christ is often more fervent and the Gospel spreads. It is under freedom of religion when the church tends to grow stagnant.

But back to the first martyr: Stephen. Stephen was a deacon in the early church, perhaps a head deacon, one of seven responsible for caring for the widows in the church. He was called "a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit." In Acts 7, he speaks out against the Jewish opposition to the Jesus movement. The leaders don't like that very much, and they rile up a crowd to stone him to death.

Something very important happens, though, right before he dies. In verse 7:56, it records, "'Look,' he said, 'I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.'” Stephen saw Jesus. Standing. At the right hand of God.

This is significant and should not be overlooked.  

First, it should be noted that Jesus is often described as after His resurrection and ascension to Heaven, being at God's right hand (ie. Mark 16:19, Luke 22:69, Colossians 3:1, Hebrews 1:3). In the Old Testament, there are references to God's right hand as mentions of His power and authority, and there is even a prophecy of the Messiah sitting at the righthand of God (Psalms 110:1).  This position implies Jesus' sharing in God's power and authority but also Jesus as the one who enacts God's power and authority.  That's important.

Here's the second thing, though. The majority of the verses which mention Jesus at God's righthand, mention Jesus sitting. Here we see He has stood up.

Stephen preaches the Gospel and is unafraid even though his very life is at stake, and Jesus stands for him.

Was it out of respect? Pride? Concern? Solidarity? Was He preparing to intervene, or perhaps, preparing to receive Stephen home?

I'm not certain, but I feel that Jesus rising to His feet in that moment has incredible significance.

There is so much happening in the world right now. A tense, divisive election with two very different views of our country and our future. Hurricanes Helene and Milton and all the damage they left behind. The on-going war in Russia and Ukraine (which the news no longer seems to care about). The violence in Israel and Gaza. 

Then there's all the stuff we deal with on a regular basis: gendercide, racism, and systemic oppression, rising rates of homelessness, the poor, and individuals with mental illness or substance abuse issues, incredible amounts of childhood trauma and parentless children, and child trafficking and pornography.

It's overwhelming when you see it altogether. Only five minutes watching the news and I'm overwhelmed! It feels impossible to change anything at all when everything needs to change.

And it is impossible.

For one person.

But as a community... if we all decided to get involved... what an incredible difference we could make.

What will you stand up for?

What will make you rise to your feet?

I believe God puts an issue on each of our hearts. Maybe it's something we've experienced personally. Maybe it's something we've seen or heard about. That issue on our hearts is not meant to merely bother us now and then or for us merely to send our "thoughts and prayers". It's meant for us to do something. It's meant for us to get involved.

I say all the time, you may be the miracle someone else is waiting for.

Yeah, it's scary. Yeah, you might be judged by others - even by other Christians - who don't understand. But if this is the issue God has called you to, then following Him is so much more important than following anyone else. In the end, only His opinion matters anyway.

God needs people willing to stand up. To stand up against what is wrong and for what is right. To speak out. To make a difference. To stop living in the comfort of the sidelines and to get in the game. To not be stagnant in our faith but to actually live the words Jesus taught us, to love our neighbors and to care for the least of these.

Stephen stood up for what was right, even though it cost him his life. 

It may cost you your life, too, perhaps not physically, but it may cost you friendships or a job or your church. It certainly cost me. But the reward is worth it. And when you stand up for the issues close to God's heart, I believe Jesus will stand up for you, too.