stiff-necked

Stephen sure made the Sanhedrin mad. It’s right there in Acts 7:54: “When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him.” I’m picturing a room full of guys with long beards and white robes, grinding and clicking their teeth and growling like a bunch of dogs. It’s kind of funny, except that it’s the devil’s work which resulted in the death of a martyr.

Of course, it isn’t surprising they were angry. They were trying Stephen, and he turns around and gives them a history lesson, walking them through God’s promises from the very start. And then, this indictment, in verses 51-54: “‘You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him—you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it’”

I guess if a prisoner went off on a judge like that nowadays there would be some consequences too, but Stephen was right. His point is the same one Jesus made time after time: the Jewish religious leaders had strayed a long way from serving God, and were now serving their own political agenda.

Stephen would be killed and the church dispersed, which would seem like a victory for the Sanhedrin, but God would not be stopped. Those scattered Christians spread his message everywhere they went, and Christianity spread like wildfire.

It’s reassuring to know that God’s plans can’t be stopped by any man or woman, no matter how powerful. A president or the leader of Planned Parenthood or ISIS or any other example of human power is just another tool for God. Their victories sometimes scare me, but they don’t faze God.

At the same time, I need to remember that God will also brush past any attempt I might make to have my way or further my own agenda in his church. His plans will not be thwarted, but some of mine might have to. Only the things I want that are the same as what God wills have any validity.