“From now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.(Luke 22:68) These are the words of Jesus when he stood In front of the chief priests and teachers of the law, accused of claiming to be the Messiah. From there he was sent to Pilate, then to Herod, then back to Pilate before he was crucified.

A short time after Jesus’ death and resurrection a follower of his, Stephen, was stoned to death for proclaiming that Jesus was the Messiah. At the scene of Steven’s stoning he looked up and received a mission of Jesus : “Look! He said, I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God! (Acts7:56) The author of Hebrews wrote this: When this priest (Jesus) had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. (Hebrews 10:12)

It may seem insignificant whether Jesus stands or sits at God’s right hand, but I think that to Steven it meant something important. It meant that Jesus was intensely interested in Steven’s ordeal, and that he even honored Steven in Steven’s martyrdom . Jesus stood up to honor Steven in his death. That Jesus should sit at God’s right hand was intended as the ultimate honor for him, but for Jesus to stand up at Steven’s death is also a very great honor for Steven. Jesus’ standing displayed to a band of believers the unique bond between Jesus and his followers.

No longer are God’s commandments and His ways messages to a whole nation, but intensely personal communications between Jesus, son of God, and those he calls his “ friends”, and “brothers”. At the Last Supper, Jesus expressed his love for the disciples : I no longer call you servants. . . Instead I have called you friends. (John 15:15) On the day of his resurrection he told Mary Magdalene, “ Go to my brothers and tell them that I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” (John 20:17)

I believe that Jesus stands up whenever he sees a sacrifice from one of his own brothers or sisters. I believe that he rejoices when his believers display their love for him in spite of hardships and dangers. I believe we have a Savior who is our brother.

Love in Him,

Prue