His face was like the face of an angel.

Acts 6:6-15, These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.” And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Stephen had been selected on the basis of his character, his faith and the indwelling Holy Spirit to serve the people in the daily distribution of food to widows. This did not stop him from other ministry among them! He has now become the target of those opposed to “the Way” and since they cannot understand the wisdom of the Spirit, they resort to lies and false witnesses to accuse him. Even so his face shows the council his true relationship!

Even when there are unfair attacks, lies and deceit let us show forth the wisdom of Your Spirit and Your light!

ESV Lectionary