The Devout Men Who Buried Stephen: Constancy, Heroism, and Love

And devout men carried Stephen to his burial.—Acts 8:2

The faithful who interred Stephen exemplified Christian friendship in three dimensions. First, constancy: they required no sound of his voice or echo of his steps to remember their duties toward him. The friendships induced by Christianity are the firmest and most enduring; though Stephen lived no longer on earth, he dwelt with Christ and remained theirs. Second, heroism: these men risked sharing their friend's fate. They might have reasoned, "What use is there in danger now that Stephen is dead?" Yet the instinct of friendship proved stronger than fear of death. They confessed themselves followers of Christ in whose name Stephen had perished. Christian friendship transcends selfish calculation. Third, practical kindness: a saint dying among saints receives loving burial, regardless of poverty.

Their lamentation held three causes. Their personal loss cut deeply—Jesus Himself wept and asked, "Woman, why weepest thou?" The Church's loss loomed graver still: Saul became a terrible opponent with no Stephen to answer him. A pillar strong with truth and beautiful with love was overturned when the temple of Elohim needed it most. A standard-bearer had fallen amid gathering foes. Yet alleviating circumstances remained. Before death, Stephen beheld a vision of Christ. He died in calm assurance of life eternal. He died in love and charity with all men. Thus the devout men's burial of Stephen witnessed to faith unshaken by persecution.