Our Scripture reading today is Acts 7:59-60.
Verse 60, "And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep."
The first of many martyrs displays the heart and spirit of a martyr. Stephen's last words show love and concern for others. The others he referenced are the ones who hated his sermon and in turn stoned him to death. Stephen follows the example of our Saviour from the cross in Luke 23:34, "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do..." It would behoove us to aspire to do the same each and every day God gives us.
Stephen's death was not in vain. His testimony and prayer no doubt impacted a man named Saul. This Saul would later become Paul and be one of the greatest missionaries ever. Stephen had proven this in his life and now he is showing it in his final moments on this earth. His humility is seen by his kneeling down. There is an urgency heard in the cry of his voice. While we have life, we must humbly use it for the glory of God. While we have life, we must urgently invest it in the lives of others.