But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” Acts 7:55-56
Most loving Lord Jesus, this scene in Stephen’s costly discipleship profoundly underscores what a wonderful, merciful and engaged Savior you really are. At the climax of his stoning he sees you standing at the right hand of the Father—rising for the very occasion of his greatest challenge, and soon to be realized death. Oh indeed, you are the Good Shepherd who cares, not the wicked hireling who disregards the plight of your lambs…
May this image supplant every wrong notion I’ve ever had about you “sitting at the right hand of the Father.” Your “sitting” doesn’t speak of passivity or inactivity. On the contrary, you are “sitting” as one in session—as the One already enthroned as the King of kings and the Lord of lords. When you completed your work of redemption for us on the cross, then and only then, did you take your seat at the right hand of God the Father, celebrating the victory of your cry, “It is finished!” And since that time all of your enemies are becoming your footstool, as your kingdom advances in time and space (Hebrews 10:12-13, John 19:30).
Jesus, forgive me for ever thinking that you’ve forgotten about me… don’t really care about me… or have even abandoned me. I confess that sometimes, especially when life seems the hardest… most unfair… most alone… most broken, in those times I entertain these foolish, unfounded, disbelieving notions.
So, God the Holy Spirit, continue to work in my life as you did in Stephen’s. Open the eyes of my heart to see more and more of the glory and grace of Jesus. Let me always be seeing “heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God,” no matter if the sky is filled with the most foreboding, dark, threatening clouds imaginable, or if the sky is totally cloudless and is as Carolina blue as it is capable of being… just let me see Jesus, and it is enough.
And as I pray this for myself, I also include friends and family who are in the midst of very hard providences or the seductions of ease and prosperity. Glancing at Jesus will never be enough for us… ever keep us gazing. So very Amen, I pray, in Jesus’ most glorious and grace-full name.
