When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 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. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. – Acts 8
Our reading plan is flying through the book of Acts. Chapter 7 contains such an important verse to Christians. Verse 58 ends saying “Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.”
We know of course that this same Saul becomes the apostle Paul. Did you know that the apostle Paul was at Stephen’s stoning? He stood by and watched as an innocent man was murdered for his belief in Jesus. To make matters worse, we know from history that more than likely Saul was satisfied by this. Saul hated the Christian faith.
We will read Paul’s conversion later in the book. It is a beautiful story of redemption. For now, we reflect on Saul’s lowest of moments. We have all had low moments. We have all sinned. The recent racial injustices found in the news remind us that we have all stood by as injustice occurred.
Saul’s low moment points us to the most important truth of the Christian faith. God’s grace is enough for you. You have had low moments. There are mistakes you have made that perhaps you have never even told anyone. We all have dark, evil secrets. But God already knows those secrets. He knew Saul’s past. Yet, God still chose him and God is still choosing you. God loves you no matter your past because your future is in Jesus.