Acts III
And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” (Acts 7:59,60 ESV)
Forgiving
Silly Stephen, by today’s standards.
Here he was, doing nothing but exercise his right of free speech (yes, present even in the Roman Empire to some degree.) He had not hurt anyone. He had not stolen anything. He had not done anything worthy of being killed. Even by harsh Jewish law, his death was not required.
Silly Stephen, by today’s standards.
We might say he should have argued his rights. Instead he preached Jesus.
We might say he should have fled. Instead he preached Jesus.
We might say he should have conversed and dialogued. Instead he preached Jesus.
We might say he should have been indignant, angry, justified, and mistreated. Instead he preached Jesus.
In fact, Stephen PREACHED Jesus, and then displayed the gospel.
He forgave.