The Burial of Stephen
J. Marratt. Acts 8:2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. I. THE DEVOUT MEN exemplified — 1. The constancy of Christian friendship. They did not need the sound of his voice and the echo of his steps to remind them of the duties they owed to him. The friendships induced by Christianity are the firmest and most enduring. Our friend may be no longer on earth, but he lives with Christ and so is still ours. 2. The heroism of Christian friendship. These men were in danger of sharing their friend's fate. They might have said, "What is the use of risking that now Stephen is dead?" But the instinct of friendship was stronger than the fear of danger, and they went forth confessing that they were followers of Him in whose name Stephen had died. Christian friendship is not influenced by selfish considerations. 3. The practical kindness of Christian friendship. A saint who dies in the midst of saints is sure to have a loving burial. He may be poor, but his claims will not be unheeded. II. THE CAUSES OF THEIR LAMENTATION. 1. Their own personal loss. One dear to them had been taken away. Our religion does not chide the tears of the bereaved. "Jesus wept," and manifested a tender feeling for the hearts of others when He said, "Woman, why weepest thou?" 2. The Church's loss. Stephen seemed to be needed more than ever. Saul was becoming a terrible opponent, and there was no Stephen to answer him. A pillar strong with truth, and beautiful with love, was overturned when it was wanted to sustain the temple of God. A standard bearer had fallen when foes were gathering thickly about the camp. A shepherd was taken away when the flock was likely to be scattered. 3. The world's loss. The world could not understand this. It was nothing to the soldier, the merchant, the priest; but it was a far greater calamity than if Caesar had fallen from his throne. III. THE ALLEVIATING CIRCUMSTANCES. There was no need for the lamentation as far as Stephen was concerned. 1. A little before he died he had a vision of Christ. 2. He died in the calm assurance of a life to come. 3. He died in love and charity with all men. (J. Marratt.) Parallel Verses KJV: And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. WEB: Devout men buried Stephen, and lamented greatly over him.