Our passage today reminds me of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Let’s read the verse and review his story.

1 Peter 4:14
If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

Stephen was a man “full of faith” and “full of grace and power.” When the disciples were looking for leaders, his name was at the top of the list. And he was the first to die for Jesus. When Stephen was falsely accused and brought before the court, those looking on noted that his “face was like the face of an angel.” (Acts 6:15).

At his trial, Stephen did not waste the opportunity to tell the Jewish leaders about Jesus. Beginning with Abraham, he detailed how God worked through the centuries to bring the Messiah to the nation of Israel. The council’s patience turned to fury when Stephen said they had “betrayed and murdered” the “Righteous One.” When he was finished, Stephen “gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:52-56).

Interestingly, this is the most detailed biblical account of a person dying for Christ. God gives us a front-row seat to view the last moments of a man who followed hard after Jesus. While they were stoning Stephen, he spoke directly to his Savior, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” His last request was that the sins of those stoning him not be held against them. Indeed, “the Spirit of glory and of God” rested on Stephen. If we should ever follow in his footsteps, that same promise belongs to us.

Father, thank you for the great comfort the story of Stephen gives us. Thank you for the confidence in knowing that in our last breath, whether at the hands of others or by natural causes, your Spirit of glory rests on the believer. And your Spirit of glory will carry us home. In Jesus’ name. Amen.