“But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.” Acts 7:55
When Stephen was finishing testifying of Christ before the Sanhedrin, his words piercing their hearts, convicting them of their sins of murder and betrayal, he knew that their reaction would be that of rage, probably resulting in his death. It was at this moment, before they rushed upon him to execute their heinous crime of stoning him that Scripture tell us, he “looked up steadfastly into heaven.” It was at that moment that God enabled him to see the glory of God. Unusually, Jesus is revealed sitting at the right hand of the Father, but this time, He is standing. Most certainly this was for Stephen to see and know the individual attention Christ was giving him at that moment. That vision would strengthen him at a time of great need, to overcome the abuse and hatred being hurled at him by the members of the Sanhedrin, enduring the stoning which followed, and yet being able to pray, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” (7:59) The grace of God was given to Stephen in such great measure, that Stephen would pray also, just before he “fell asleep,” (died), to cry out with a loud voice: “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.” (v. 60) How great was Stephen’s resemblance to Christ at such a moment because he looked steadfastly into heaven by faith.
It was the prophet Isaiah, who also spoke of looking into heaven, specifically looking wholly, and only to God. Though the Lord would deal with the nation of Israel in great part in the writings of Isaiah, there were multiple, significant times, when He would be dealing with the whole world. On one of these occasions, He would give to Isaiah His words for the entirety of mankind: “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth, for I am God, and there is none else.” (Isaiah 45:22) What does the Lord seek to communicate to all men with regard to looking unto Him? First, it is the command to given to God the entirety of one’s attention, as the matter of their salvation is of eternal importance, not only for the blessing of men, but primarily for the revelation of the glory of God. Secondly, the look that God desires is one of faith, faith in the faithfulness of God, to see, hear the cry of the heart, and respond with the strength and power to receive the grace of God to be saved. In essence, the look that God is waiting to see is one where the needy soul looks to receive Life, strength, and all that is needful in that moment, or hour, or day, so that Christ by His Spirit will meet the needs of the soul.
In the epistle to the Hebrew believers, there is the encouraging exhortation by God to every believer who has entered into this race set before him, where Christ is his goal, and the will of God is sought to honor and glorify Him. The context of such “a look” is the great cloud of witnesses, those who have gone before and been in this race of faith and blessing. With the testimony of the faithfulness of God revealed by every believer who has preceded the present disciple of Christ, the encouragement is given to lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily besets him. With patient endurance he is encouraged to “look unto Jesus.” (12:2) As was the case of Stephen, and the entire world which is called to look only and wholly unto God to save, the disciple of the present day and time, is called to fix his eyes on the One who will always respond faithfully to the believing gaze. This Author and Finisher of Faith will reveal Himself to the heart in answer to that gaze that steadfastly looks unto Him. There is salvation in that gaze and blessing beyond measure.
Dear Father, Strengthen us to look. In Jesus’ name, Amen.