Jan 31 2009 Ex 28-29, Acts 7

Scripture
Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord. Acts 7:57

Observation
These are the final moments in the life of one of the first Christian martyrs. The men Stephen was speaking to were the great and mighty men of their day and nation. They knew the Scriptures and should have been among the first to recognize Jesus and come to Him.

It was because they knew that Stephen was telling them the truth and that the truth did not agree with their own pet ideas and theories that they became so enraged that they committed murder.

Application
My first response to this story is one of amazement. After rejecting Jesus and putting Him to death on the cross, God sends another message of truth to them through the preaching of Stephen. God is not attempting to condemn them, I believe He is trying to save them.

My second response is to wonder if I could ever be guilty of this same thing. Stephen described them as “uncircumcised in heart”. In order words, he acknowledged they were different from the world in the outside, but not on the inside.

One of the conditions to be saved is first to hear the Gospel. Paul said, "How can they be saved except first they hear?" and then again, "Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God."

Prayer
Lord, please help me to never close my ears to the truth. Sometimes it might be hard to hear it, but I know deep down it is the only thing that will help me.