Day 84

Acts 6:11-13 “Then they secretly instigated men who said, ‘We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God’. And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, and they set up false witnesses who said, ‘This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law”.


On Sunday Rob highlighted the ancient Jewish legal system which required the testimony of two men to convict someone of breaking the law. He also pointed out the grave consequences of falsely testifying against someone. Yet, the Jewish leaders of Christ’s day arranged false witnesses against Christ in order to keep their institution and power intact when threatened by the truth Christ was proclaiming. The use of false witnessing led to the crucifixion of Jesus. His murder at the hands of the rulers in Jerusalem was soon followed by the stoning of a devoted follower, also brought about by the bearing of false witness.

One of the most beautiful accounts of Scripture occurs after a group of angry Jewish men from all over the world, who were hanging out at the Synagogue of Freed Slaves (how interesting), became offended by Stephen. Apparently they were in dispute with Stephen about something, but couldn’t make their case as well as Stephen who overwhelmed their intellect with Spirit-filled wisdom. Bring out the trump card - False Witness. These angry men were able to convince some men to falsely testify about what Stephen was saying. In short time Stephen was brought before the council and charged with blasphemy, a crime punishable by death.

Stephen’s defense was to recite a long eloquent review of Jewish history. He finished up by turning the tables and accusing the very leaders he stood before of the crime of executing the long awaited messiah. His words bear true witness and sting “You stubborn people! You are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That’s what your ancestors did, and so do you! Name one prophet your ancestors didn’t persecute! They even killed the ones who predicted the coming of the Righteous One – the Messiah whom you betrayed and murdered.”

Now here’s the problem. Stephen is now testifying in court about their act of murder, but he does so alone. He is one man testifying to the truth and according to Jewish law you need a second. But wait, as he finished this accusation he looks up to heaven and sees one of the most magnificent sights recorded in Scripture. And he tells everyone what he sees “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!” There was a second man standing with him testifying to this crime committed by the Jewish leaders. Shortly after this Stephen is stoned to death.

So, this is the thing. We may not always be testifying in a legal procedure, but day in and day out we testify either truthfully or falsely. Jesus stands with those testifying truthfully. In fact, we usually hear about Jesus sitting at the right hand of the Father, but that is not what Stephen reports. Jesus is standing and witnessing with Stephen. He is also watching a great injustice being perpetrated upon Stephen. How often do you suppose Jesus stands up to witness injustice in this world and to stand with those on the receiving end?

I don’t know about you, but of all of the commandments, this is the one I want God to put pressure on me about. I don’t want to offhandedly report untruths, or malign someone’s character (like politicians and celebrities). I am tired of hearing myself say things I’m not even sure is true, as a previous blog spoke about. I don’t think I ever want to be the one Jesus is standing against, not with.

Father: Start with our lips and move to our hearts and rid us of speaking in all untruthful and unjust ways. Help us to encourage one another in this way of living. And above all, help us to speak truth, as Stephen did, when we are called upon by your Spirit to witness in this world about your redemptive love.