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KING'S BUSINESS
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The character of Stephen is a reflec– tion of the character of his Master. He was filled with the Spirit, as was his Lord. He was filled with wisdom, with holy zeal-which sent him about doing good; filled with power-so that he worked mighty miracles; filled with holy boldness-so that he spoke the true Word of God fearlessly; filled with compassion-so that, while he was dying, he prayed in behalf of his per– secutors. No higher tribute can be paid to Stephen than this. As he advanced toward the closing hour of his life he reflected in largest measure the spirit of that Man who suffered the ignominy of the cross, and died with a prayer in behalf of. His enemies. Who can tell how much that prayer had to do with the conversion of the young man, Saul, who held the clothes of the fierce murderers, and who, him– self, consented to the cruel deed? A• Stephen caught the Spirit of Christ, so Saul seems to have caught the spirit of Stephen. It may help us to understand this seemingly strange fate of Stephen if we can read between the lines the thought that his death was the means by which the conscience of Saul of Tarsus was awakened and prepared for the revela– tion, in person, of that san1e Jesus whom Stephen claimed to see through the opened heavens. (5) THE MARTYR'S DEATH AND BURIAL, 8: 1-3: "And they stoned Stephen." The death of Stephen is a sublime picture. Cast out of the city, that he might die as did his Master "without the gate;" falling under the crushing force of the stones which were heaped upon him, be calmly and quietly com– mended his spirit to the Lord Jesus. When Christ died He said, "Father, into thy hand I commend my Spirit." Here, Stephen recognized the Lord
is the voice of the Holy Spirit laying bare the murderous hearts of these · devil-infatuated Jews. It Is noticeable in the life of Christ that, as the hatred of the Jews intensified against Him, His manner of speaking changed and he uttered severe denunciations against them. (3) THE MANIFEST GLORY, 7:55,- Could there be a more remarkable contrast than that which is here pre– sented? Before Stephen was the malig– nant coua cil, bent upon his destruction -the jaws of hell opening to swallow him-but his face was away from this sight. He was "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of his faith," and by faith He saw Him. There are no barriers to real faith. Walls, clouds, all material objects are immaterial when faith's eye is opened by the Holy Spirit. What a blessed preparation for a martyr's death! Jesus Himself had been tested as Stephen was. He looked up In His agony and found the heavens closed against Him. No heavenly vi– sion broke in upon His dismal gloom, but He was dying as a sinner, suffering for sin. Now stephen is being persecuted for righteousness' sake and is to forfeit his life because of his faith in Jesus Christ, and he is assured of a royal reception. This vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God is a wonderful one. It would lead us to believe that all heaven was alive with interest in the affairs of that little assembly and that the very throne of God was assailed when Stephen was arrested. The Lord Jesus stands to receive him with open arms. The Lord sealed the testi– mony of Stephen by this significant vision of Himself, in the glory. ( 4) THE MAGNANIMOUS PRAYER, 7: 57-60, "Lay not this sin to their charge." 56: "Looked up steadfastly Into heaven and saw the glory of God."
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