But he [Stephen], full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” Acts 7:55–56
Most loving Lord Jesus, this scene from the last hours of Stephen’s life shouts engagement, care and your great love for us. With stones bouncing off his brow, Stephen saw you standing at the right hand of the Father—rising for the very occasion of his greatest challenge and imminent death. Indeed, you are the Good Shepherd, who cares so faithfully for your lambs even from heaven.
May this story correct every wrong notion we’ve ever had about you “sitting at the right hand of the Father.” Your “sitting” doesn’t speak of passivity, inactivity or cheerleading from afar. On the contrary, you are in session on your throne; regaled as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords in the courts of heaven; working all things together after the counsel of your will; praying ceaselessly for your beloved Bride. O, the great comfort this gives us.
When you completed your work of redemption on the cross, then and only then did you take your seat at the right hand of God the Father, celebrating the victory of your cry, “It is finished” (John 19:30). And since that time all of your enemies are becoming your footstool, as your kingdom advances in time and space (Heb. 10:12–13). Demons are filled with terror and angels are filled with wonder at your glory.
Jesus, forgive us for ever thinking that you’ve forgotten about us, don’t really care about us, or have even abandoned us. We confess that sometimes, especially when life seems the hardest, most unfair, most lonely and most broken, we entertain these disbelieving, unfounded notions.
God, the Holy Spirit, do the same for us as you did for Stephen. Open the eyes of our hearts to see more of Jesus. Let us also see “heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:56), no matter if the sky is filled with dark foreboding clouds, or if it’s cloudless and Carolina blue. Just let us see Jesus more clearly than ever, and all will be well. We pray with expectancy, in Jesus’ exalted and merciful name. Amen.