We have made the idea of "bearing witness" into something that only some people are called to do. Something only the martyrs, the Stephen's of the world, have done for God. But the truth is, we all bear witness every day. We bear witness with our word, as well as our actions. We bear witness to who we follow by the steps we take and how we serve. We are all witness bearers.
Which leads us to ask - witness bearers of what or whom?
What Stephen bore witness to - what got him killed - is that God had been faithful when other people weren't noticing. God of the ancestors had fulfilled his purpose and promise through Jesus Christ, who was then sacrificed. God of the covenant had done something both ancient and new through this Messiah, but others looked away.
But Stephen could only bear that witness because of where his heart was. His heart was focused on God, who had revealed it to him through grace and called him to reveal it to others through service.
Friends, Stephen was a witness bearer for the way of God in Christ. What about us? Who or what are we bearing witness to this day and beyond?
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