Daily Devotional | The First Martyr

As a young Christian, I remember reading the story of Jim Elliot, one of the five missionaries who lost their lives when they attempted to bring the gospel to the Huaorani people of Ecuador. When I was finished, I got down on my knees and asked God to make me a martyr too. My request was born of youthful impatience and a rash hunger for glory. Certainly, I didn’t understand the motivation of actual martyrs, most of whom stumbled into their unique calling.

Stephen was the church’s first martyr. We use this term to speak of those who give their lives for their faith, but the word itself actually means witness. Stephen did not set out to become a martyr. He was merely responding to the charges brought against him (v. 1).

Acts 7 records his speech before his accusers. Beginning with Abraham, Stephen narrated the history of the Jewish people highlighting their resistance to God’s purpose. He shows how God worked in the lives of Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and then Moses. His history lesson culminated in the crucifixion of Jesus. “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit!” he said (v. 51).

His accusers were “furious and gnashed their teeth” (v. 54). They said Stephen was speaking against the law (Acts 6:13). He charged them with ignoring it. Their anger turned murderous when Stephen described a vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God (v. 56). In the crowd was “a young man named Saul” who would eventually become a follower of Jesus and go on to write much of the New Testament (v. 58). We know him today as the apostle Paul.

>> We shouldn’t aspire to be a martyr. Rather, we need to set our sights on being a faithful witness. What does it mean for you to live for Jesus today? Maybe you can start by telling someone what He has done in your life.