Stephen Sees Jesus

Dec 29 – Acts 7:54-56 –Stephen sees Jesus

    Stephen has just delivered one of the finest speeches given in the Bible.  His audience however did not agree with Him.  The results of His message were that they close up their ears.  They also were cut to the heart and they gnashed their teeth.   These expressions were used to denote their refusal of the gospel.  Stephen full of the Holy Spirit looks up to heaven and sees the glory of God.  He sees Jesus standing at the right hand of God the Father.  Jesus shows Himself to Stephen.  This event is often repeated in many near death experiences,  Stephen the relates what He sees to the crowd.  He says, “I see the heavens open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of the God.”  The results of this vision was that He was killed.  This would be another post resurrection appearance of Christ.  Stephen reveals a powerful reality.  Jesus right now is sitting at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us.  He is acting on our behalf with the Father.  It is so wonderful to know that today that you have an advocate with the Father.  No matter what you do Jesus is pleading your case.  That does not give you liberty to sin but the assurance that when you do you have someone acting on your behalf to help you get right with the father and stay right with the Father.