Acts 7:57-60

But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at Stephen. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Having a heavenly perspective is not easy. The actions of people, personal hurts, and difficult situations can block our view.

In Acts 7:57-60, an angry crowd drags Stephen out of the city and stones him to death. It would be understandable for Stephen to be bitter and angry and to see himself as a persecuted victim.

But Stephen’s eyes are not upon himself. Stephen’s eyes are upon Jesus. Stephen sees his enemies with compassion. Stephen prays, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” This is a heavenly perspective.

Hebrews 12:2 encourages us to “Fix your eyes upon Jesus.” When our eyes are upon Jesus and not ourselves, we have a heavenly perspective. We do not see ourselves as persecuted victims. Rather, we see ourselves as “more than victorious” through faith in Jesus (Romans 8:37).

Jesus’ eyes are not upon Himself. Jesus eyes are upon the will of His Father and the needs of all people. This is a heavenly perspective. Jesus looks upon His enemies with compassion. Jesus prays, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

Lord Jesus, thank you for looking upon me with compassion and for praying God’s forgiveness and mercy for me. Amen.

Contributed by Jeffrey Sippy