There, in the middle of a frenzied crowd, it was not the forthcoming horror of his own death that occupied Stephen’s mind. It wasn’t the pain – the agony – of having his flesh savagely torn to pieces. It wasn’t even the fact that he was about to be ripped apart because of the faith he had so boldly professed.
It was – and it had always been – Jesus. In his life, and even at his death, it had always been about Him. So it was not surprising that right at that moment, Stephen saw only Jesus.
“Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
These words came from a man who finally came to the fruition of his long search, taking hold of the fulfillment of the deepest desire of every man’s heart: to see God.
Die, he would. Yet, beyond the raving crowd and the terror of death, his eyes were focused on his great reward. He saw the gates of the heaven open, and, from afar, he could actually see Jesus.
And there, he realized, that he was about to meet, face-to-face, the God of Worship… of Prayer… of the Scriptures. He was about to take hold of the very reward of his service – the God he served, Jesus Himself.
Are you in the middle of a raging crowd — Office works untouched? Utility bills unpaid? Hospital bills piling up? An incurable disease? Relationships that cannot be mended?
Look past them… and see Jesus.