In Acts chapter 7, we read about the last moments of Stephen’s life. He is standing before a council that is prepared to stone him to death for blasphemy. In the midst of this assembly Stephen has a moment of clarity where I would argue he see three things. First, he looks up to heaven and is able to see Jesus seated at the right hand of the Father. Second, he sees through the actions of the council, stones in hand, and utters words nearly identical to Jesus at his death. He offers forgiveness. He pleads with the Father and Son on behalf of those who are about to kill him and asks that they not hold their sins against them. But why? That gets to the third thing. I have to imagine that he sees himself with clarity too. As one in need of forgiveness standing before the Father and the Son, he therefore offers it to any and all he encounters, even to his death.