Stephen Falls Asleep...

It seems right to note the public persecution of the apostles as the church is formed in this Easter season. It humbles us, particularly in the west, where we don't have such persecution. Compared to the world I live in a society that doesn't persecute Christians. That might be for the moment but I am very comfortable. I don't have fear to walk around in a collar and those who may be upset by this around me usually it is the failures of the church that has caused them immense and lasting hurt. I also have the privilege of being male; I know some of my female colleagues can be judged publicly for being a priest or minister of the church.

Stephen reminds us that it is not always carefree, there is a great cost to following Christ and for some it dramatically takes their lives. Some of us will fall asleep in peace but right now in the world that is a Christian praying that they aren't executed or murdered tomorrow for their faith. They are praying and hoping in their last moments with earnest they can pray aloud, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." Acts 7.60.

The cover image today is, The Lapidation of Saint Stephen by Rembrandt. You can see the purposeful use of light and staging that shows in the darkest hour Stephen uplifts himself to God. There is no fight back, no struggle. He submits to the will of those governed over him (see the 1 Peter reading today, 1 Peter 2.11-25). An interesting feature of Rembrandt paintings it often they include a self-portrait. This is the first known self-portrait and Rembrandt placing himself in the prominent place of holding the stone, in the center, a stone big enough to kill any human; he is about to place the killing blow on an apostle. Light is used on Rembrandt's face that interestingly casts half of it into shadow, turning from the light of God in his actions.

I have been considering a lot of what it means to place judgement on other Christians. How some can do it without much cause yet others won't ever do it.

Both are wrong.

We need to turn and look into the light together in these discussions. We want to turn to the person who we are discussing with (or sadly condemning) but this action turns us away from the light and guidance of God. We almost need to sit on a bench side by side watching the sun rise while talking. The action might not settle our differences by can widen our perspective in turn this makes it harder to condemn but rather discuss in the light of God. The alternative way takes place when you are uplifting the person as an image of God (which we all are), therefore you are seeing God in them; at this point you can only condemn if the log in your own eye has blinded you.

I believe we are call to be careful in our words, we are called to rebuke our brothers and sisters but the perfect judgment is no where near our hands; we know death has been defeated, our sins can be forgiven. One day we will fall asleep too but there is an eternal comfort that we can lean on.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” John 14.1-4