Something Worth Dying For

Acts 7:54-60

This takes place in response to Stephen's masterful defense before the Sanhedrin. Stephen has just accused the national leaders of rejecting the one prophesied by Moses, keeping the tradition of rejecting those sent by God that had been established through the history of the nation. This generation, according to Stephen, is guilty of the ultimate act of rejection because they have rejected not just the prophet but the one who was predicted by the prophets.
Luke reminds his reader that Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit, something that he has mentioned at least twice before this. Out of this fullness, Stephen receives a vision of heaven. In some ways this vision proves his defense; the God of glory has moved from the temple and the land. He is not confined to the temple. His vision of Christ standing on the right hand of God prompts the crowd to stone him.
Why did Stephen die? Because his understanding of Christianity threatened the established religion of the time and the national identity of the people. He could have compromised and not been so emphatic about the end of the religious system but his integrity and the integrity of the message of Christ would not allow him to go easy on the religious system. Besides the free access offered through Christ that would be compromised by supporting the ceremonial law, Stephen understood that the implications of the message of Christ could not be confined by the borders of Palestine. The gospel message must be preached to the Gentiles and the scope of God's mercy extends to them. This was probably as offensive to the ruling council as the end of the religious system. Stephen died because he understood the scope of Christ's message and ministry and was not willing to compromise that, even to save his own life.
This is something worth dying for, which means that it is something worth living for.