"None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke. So they persuaded some men to lie about Stephen, saying, “We heard him blaspheme Moses, and even God.” Acts 6:10-11
Some people think that following Jesus means that we live a life free of problems and pain. This could not be further from the truth. In fact, before He died on the cross, he told his followers, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows” (John 16:33). As long as we are on earth, we will face trials and difficulties. One of the trials that the early church quickly learned that we will face is persecution for our faith. The good news, however, is that Jesus ended this teaching on trials and sorrows on this earth with hope. “Take heart,” he wrote, “because I have overcome the world” (verse 33).
One of the people who faced persecution for his faith in Jesus was Stephen in Acts 6. Stephen was a leader in the early church described as “a man full of God’s grace and power” (verse 8). Because he was full of God’s power, people started noticing him and all of the amazing miracles he was performing through the power of the Holy Spirit (verse 9). People from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves debated him and became angry because of Stephen’s wisdom and power (verse 10). They concocted a plan for some people to spread lies about Stephen. This led to his arrest and trial before the high council.
Stephen’s persecution for his faith is an example of the troubles that we will face in this world in John 16:33. Those who heard this teaching were probably not surprised at the persecution Stephen was facing. As pressure mounted, Stephen could have stopped talking about his faith. He could have decided to be quiet and stop sharing his faith in Christ. Instead, he boldly spoke the truth about Jesus, even when he knew it would cost him.
Why was Stephen so bold about his faith? One of the reasons for his boldness is that he knew that in the end Jesus has overcome the world. Because of this, he had nothing to lose or fear. He had Christ on His side, and that meant everything. Yes, this world is full of trials and hardships, but we serve a God who has overcome.
Write down John 16:33 at least three times. As you write, reflect on the words in this verse. Let this verse be a reminder that yes, there is pain and hardship in the world. Yes, there is persecution, but we have hope. Let this verse also be a reminder that Jesus has overcome the world. Because of this, we can have peace in the middle of every storm we face.
"Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. 9 But one day some men from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves, as it was called, started to debate with him. They were Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of Asia. 10 None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.
11 So they persuaded some men to lie about Stephen, saying, “We heard him blaspheme Moses, and even God.” 12 This roused the people, the elders, and the teachers of religious law. So they arrested Stephen and brought him before the high council.
13 The lying witnesses said, “This man is always speaking against the holy Temple and against the law of Moses. 14 We have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the Temple and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”
15 At this point everyone in the high council stared at Stephen, because his face became as bright as an angel’s."
