There are many yew trees in churchyards around the British Isles that have survived for more than a thousand years. One of the factors contributing to their longevity is that branches grow roots if they make contact with the soil. Even if they topple over, they won’t necessarily die.

Standing before a court of religious Jews, Stephen goes back to the beginning of their common story. He traces the roots of his belief that Jesus is the Messiah all the way to God’s call of Abraham (v 2). Those who followed this new way, later called ‘Christianity’, are, as Paul put it in his letter to the Romans, supported by the root of Judaism and nourished by its sap (Romans 11:17,18). There has been a graft on the original tree.

In our era and culture, progress often overshadows history; the individual trumps the corporate. Like the yew tree, the church has survived against the odds. But we’d do well to tend to our roots in the long, long story of a chosen nation, whose favour we share by the grace of God. These roots keep the church strong and alive in challenging times.

Lord, let me look forward to being an adventurer for you.

In response to the high priest’s question, Stephen gives the longest sermon recorded by Luke. Stephen’s method of defence was to give a panoramic view of Jewish history, picking out four major epochs of Israel’s history. First, he highlighted Abraham and the patriarchal era (vs 2–8); then Joseph and the Egyptian exile (vs 9–19); third Moses, the Exodus and the wilderness wanderings (vs 20–43); and lastly David and Solomon and the establishment of the monarchy (vs 44–50). In none of these four epochs was God’s presence limited to a particular place. On the contrary, the God of the Old Testament was the living God, always calling his people to fresh adventures and always accompanying and directing them. A Temple located in a particular place was not part of God’s plan.  

God gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision; renewed the covenant with Isaac and Jacob; and then with the twelve sons of Jacob. Stephen emphasised the divine initiative: it was God who appeared, spoke, sent, promised, punished and rescued. Abraham was a man of faith who answered God’s command and who never doubted God’s promise. Stephen presented the Jews with a picture of an adventurous life, ever ready to answer God’s summons, which contrasted with their desire to cling to the past. Paul says we are the true children of Abraham, saved by faith.¹ If we are chosen and called by him we are meant, like Abraham, to follow him in faith. When God called me in 1972 to leave my job and move into ministry, I agreed, not knowing what I was to do, but in 48 years he has used me in three different organisations and provided daily. Is God calling you to go out in faith to fresh adventures? Then trust him and move ahead.

Pray to God to bless, protect and provide for you in whatever he wants you to do.

¹ Eph 2:8–10