How Can the Good Shepherd Let His Sheep Suffer and Be Slaughtered?

In this sermon we explore the hard question: How can the Good Shepherd allow His sheep to suffer and even be slaughtered? Looking at the story of Stephen—the first Christian martyr—we see how Christ teaches His flock to prioritize His Word, raises up the vulnerable to serve the venerable, leads His people through death into new life, and uses their faithful witness to both soften and harden hearts. Stephen’s peaceful confidence, even as he was violently killed, shows the Shepherd who stands to receive His sheep and calls them home to heavenly pastures where no wolf follows.