Today is Good Friday—
the day Christ died for us.
But do you know the first person to die FOR Christ?
It wasn’t one of the 12 Disciples.
It was a humble table servant.
And far from silencing the Church,
his death launched it. 🧵
https://x.com/J_K_Wood/status/1913181846982078846
Serving the poor was core to the early Church’s mission.
To help, the 12 Disciples appointed seven men to handle the daily distributions of food to widows in the community.
The first on the list was Stephen, “a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 6:5)
Stephen turned out to be more than faithful—he was powerful.
“Full of God’s grace and power, [he] was doing great signs and wonders among the people.” (Acts 6:8)
But like Christ before him, his actions threatened the Jewish temple elite.
The leaders began plotting his demise.
First, the leaders from the Synagogue tried to debate him.
“But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.” (Acts 6:10)
So they resorted to lies. And false charges. And a rigged trial.
Sound familiar?
Yet, Stephen stood tall before the Sanhedrin.
The same high court that sentenced Jesus.
And in those tense moments as Stephen testified, something strange happened:
“They saw that his face was like the face of an angel.” (Acts 6:15)
Radiant. Peaceful. Otherworldly.
“You stiff-necked people! … 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.” (Acts 7:51-52)
Stephen didn’t hold back.
Jesus stood to let Stephen know he was not alone, even in death.
Jesus stood to receive the man who would become the Church’s first Martyr.
The King of Kings rose to applaud a humble table server filled with grace and truth.
As the stones struck, Stephen prayed:
“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit… do not hold this sin against them.” (Acts 7:59–60)
And with that he “fell asleep”
Forgiveness on his lips.
Glory on his face.
A death that mirrored his Savior.
In the wake of his death, violence erupted.
“A great persecution arose… and the Church was scattered.” (Acts 8:1)
But everywhere they went, they preached. Stephen’s death didn’t silence the believers. His courage was burned into their memory.
The Gospel couldn’t be stopped.
Stephen didn’t just believe in the resurrection— he embodied it.
He became the firstfruits of the risen Christ.
He never started a church or wrote any Scripture.
He served the poor.
He spoke the truth.
And died with Christ’s words on his lips—and Christ’s glory on his face.