Stephen was the first martyr of the church. He was stoned to death by religious people who rejected his message about Jesus Christ. As his opponents began to unleash their violent fury against him, the Bible says, “But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:55-56).

Some scholars have noted that when the Bible speaks about Jesus being in heaven with God, it usually says that he is seated at the right hand of God. Yet here it shows Jesus standing. Could there be something significant in the posture of Jesus? Why is he standing in this instance?

Jesus might be standing in anticipation of what Stephen is about to do—he is about to die because of his faith. Perhaps Jesus is standing to honor one who is about to make a supreme sacrifice because of his belief in his Savior.

Jesus has a keen interest in how his followers live their lives. He knows what we have to endure, and he reacts to the way we respond to adversity. None of us knows what lies ahead of us, but we must hope that when the time comes for us to take a stand for Jesus, he will react in a way that shows that we have pleased him. Who knows, he may even stand up!