May 4, 2025 - Third Sunday of Easter - How Stephen Might be Remembered

Before this read of this passage I thought the church doesn't need more martyrs. Afterwards I knew it needed more Stephens particularly at present. People who will speak up and act when justice is overlooked. People who stay grounded in love even when they are attacked. People who trust the Spirit enough to stand; speak; and, perhaps most importantly, forgive.

Then I found out that the Greek word for martyr was μάρτυς (mártys): who is a person who gives testimony or bears witness, especially in a legal or public context.

In the New Testament, mártys is used to describe someone who testifies about Christ and the gospel. Over time, especially as Christians were persecuted, the term came to be associated with those who bore witness through their suffering and death. Hence, it evolved into its modern meaning: a person who dies for their faith.

Our faith sometimes calls us to justice work. The Spirit calls us not only to worship but to yearn for equitable systems, to provide compassionate care, and confront internal bias and fear, especially when bias and fear affect the marginalized.

Stephen is prophetic figure and models a faith we can have that doesn’t play it safe. His Christianity honors the call to question tradition, critique injustice, and hold systems accountable beyond anger, but rather in Spirit-led conviction. Stephen dies forgiving the very people killing him. In a culture often steeped in retribution and retaliation, this is radical. Forgiveness, empathy, and vision of divine love in the face of hate is our ultimate witness.

Stephen's story reminds us:that the truth might cost us yet the Spirit can never leave us. Christ stands with those who stand for revolutionary love, justice, and compassion. Which makes me wonder if I consider Jesus a martyr. 

He was a witness and Jesus' death is an ultimate testament to God's love and truth. He refused to escape execution, compromise or soften his teachings. Early Christians viewed Jesus as their model for martyrdom and Stephen, mirrors Jesus’ forgiveness and faith in the face of death.

Simultaneously Jesus was more than a martyr. Most martyrs accept death, but Jesus chooses it with a cosmic purpose.Jesus predicted and embraced his death as part of God's plan, Stephen did not. Calling Jesus a martyr might understate our belief that his death defeated sin and death.  Martyrs follow Jesus which suggests that he is the unique foundation of martyrdom rather than one of many. 

Again I wonder about martyrdom in our times and what I feel about those who are, or feel they are called to it. Pastor Emillie asked us about times where we have spoken out and how we felt about those Stephen moments in our life.

I definitely felt more conflicted than courageous regarding my recent Stephen moment. Sometimes it makes me tremble, however when I have seen others rise in their moments all I see is their courage.. 

Mary gave an announcement about the burning of the mortgage which will be celebrated at Pentecost and drew the congregation's attention to the preparation that is planned for the Farmland Produce and Creator's garden. There is a word cloud and string display of what the congregation envisions for Creator's future. 

Living courageous visions can be hard.