the    sides

This is part of our weekly journey through the book of Acts. Today is from Acts 7.

Then the Chief Priest said, “What do you have to say for yourself?“

Stephen’s response is THE mark of a spiritual leader. He says absolutely nothing for himself.

NOTHING.

Let that sink in for a moment.

Stephen’s in big trouble. He’s the latest in a long line of cases before the San Hedrin concerning this new movement centered on Jesus. They’ve already killed Jesus. They’ve arrested and beaten Peter and John twice. Peter and John escaped from their prison once. Thousands are leaving the Temple and joining this movement. Stephen completely embarrassed their scholars in a debate.

The San Hedrin finds themselves in a losing battle but they can’t figure out who their real opponent is. They think its this band of misfits, fishermen, prostitutes, and tax collectors. That’s the emphasis of their question - what do you have to say for yourself? They’ve yet to figure out they are fighting against God.

Stephen is the ’straw’ that will break this thing wide open. The San Hedrin is at a boiling point. And Stephen is able to do something that Peter, John, or any other disciple couldn’t do - bring into focus the real issue using language that the San Hedrin would be sure to understand. History, tradition, scripture, theology.

Along the way Stephen models true spiritual leadership and courage.

Stephen goes on 20 minute explanation of the work of God through the nation of Israel. He begins with Abram through Moses to the prophets to Jesus.

“What do you have to say for yourself?”

Nothing. It’s not about me. It’s about the work of God. What He did. What He is doing. How you are completely missing it.

“What do you have to say for yourself?“

Nothing. Other than I’m a sinner that needs God more than He needs me. And so are you. We’re a bunch of traitors, murderers, liars, and thieves that need God. And so are you. You need God.

“What do you have to say for yourself?“

You’ve blown the greatest opportunity in history by focusing on yourself. God stood before you in Jesus and you asked the same stupid, arrogant, ignorant question.

“What do you have to say for yourself?“

I’ve been baited with this question. How quickly I answered it and in so doing proving my immaturity. The whole point of a relationship with Jesus is understanding that I don’t have anything to say FOR myself. If I could, I wouldn’t need Jesus.

The San Hedrin wanted to make the issue about Stephen’s intelligence, reputation, and character. Stephen refused to be baited by the question and instead drove right to the heart of the matter - God’s story and their rejection of it.

Stephen didn’t justify his faith,. He didn’t rationalize his actions. He didn’t try to paint himself in a good light. He didn’t have a self-protecting mindset at all because he knew that it had nothing to do with him.

“What do you have to say for yourself?“

I’ve got nothing but God’s story.

The mark of true spiritual maturity - to be free of the desire to say anything for yourself and instead be consumed by God’s story.

I want to be like that.