Can you believe it? A congregation where factions disagree with one another? Well – I never!

Here we see a cultural divide – the Greek Jews making allegations that their widows are receiving less charity than the Hebrew widows. Trying to appease the complainers, a team of young Greek men are given the job of ensuring that the Greek widows are served fairly – among them Stephen.

But, the allegations still come, thick and fast. Stephen starts to be accused of misrepresenting Moses. The church members, at a loss as to the veracity of such claims, seem to demonstrate herd mentality, launching a full-scale assault on Stephen, whose innocence shines out from his face in a radiant glow. He is transfigured by his faith in Jesus, his Lord. Have you ever experienced such a sensation?

What can we take from this? If we know we speak in truth, honesty, and faith, we should know, as Stephen did, that we have Jesus on our side. Let His wisdom guide us. Let us have the courage to tell it like it is.

In reading this, however, sadly, we know what is to happen to Stephen – a young man, so victimised by the herd that he is stoned to death. His courage is shown in how he continues to stand firm even when he can see where this assault will lead.

But, what has happened? Are those who hurled the false allegations along with the stones remembered by name and honoured through the millennia? No. But Stephen is.

May we hold in our hearts this day in Lent, the image of that wonderful, brave young man, his face radiant with the power and the love of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us remember that nothing, not even death, can separate us from Divine Love.

Let us pray: Dear Lord, Give us confidence to shine like lights in the darkness as we speak your word and demonstrate your love in our lives. Amen