In Steven's End: A Beginning

But filled with the Holy Spirit,

he gazed into heaven and saw

the glory of God and Jesus standing

at the right hand of God.

‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see the heavens opened

and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’

(from Acts 7:55-60)

The youth were in trouble. 

Quinipet Camp & Retreat Center on Shelter Island, NY was the location of my student pastor MYF retreat.

Some youth decided to energize the retreat with marijuana.

They got caught with the "weed".

Their defense was claiming using "weed" was OK because the Bible said "Peter got stoned." 

It was time for a new beginning.

So, I prophesied unto them: collect the weed now and I will dispose of it, or I will explain your Bible verse to your parents at the retreat's conclusion. 

The new beginning: youth fellowship is about trust not deception.

Steven was in trouble.

Following the euphoria of Easter stories, Thomas' experience, and Jesus' Emmaus Road meal, comes this wretched story of Steven.

The backstory to Steven's stoning is critical for understanding.

Steven heatedly accuses the Synagogue leaders, Jerusalem's supreme court of rabbis, of being enemies of God because they rejected Jesus.

He is brought before the Sanhedrin.

Stephens' defense is retelling the history of Israel's unfaithful relationship with God and using the Scriptures reminds them of killing the prophets.

They're enraged, take him outside to kill him by stoning.

With the stones crushing him he says:

“Look, I see the heavens opened

and the Son of Man standing

at the right hand of God!”

As he experiences tragedy, Steven encourages those watching to look to God.

Look with "eyes to see"; God is with us.

God is committed right here and now.

To the youth, God spoke a new beginning with a prophetic word of trust.

During Stephen's stoning, God spoke prophetic words of hope.

When we're enduring trouble, God speaks prophetic words to look beyond them by fixing your eyes on Jesus.

God speaks prophetic of hope right here, right now.