Jump Start # 1199

Acts 8:2 “Some devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentations over him.”

  Our verse today reads like a common statement. It isn’t. It is filled with emotion and depth. Stephen was dead. The pious, dependable man whose name is listed first among those chosen in Acts 6 to help the neglected widows. A good man. A servant of Christ. He preaches. Opposition resists. He is arrested. He is rushed through a quick and illegal trial, skirting Roman law and permission. He is pushed out of town, where a mob drunk with hatred throws stones at him. The dying Stephen sees Jesus standing. And the life of this brilliant man of God comes to an end. His story is found in only a few verses in Acts.

As I write these words, a dear Christian who has been a friend, a help and a joy in my life nears the end of her life. God allowed our lives to intersect nearly 17 years ago. There were wonderful meals in her home. There were laughter and tears. I see her sitting in the surgery waiting room. Her presence calmed worried families. I see her in a home with a group of ladies as I taught an informal class about our Savior. I see her sitting with me on a pew pouring her heart out to me. I see her with baskets of food in her arms coming to comfort a family who buried a loved one. I see her singing sweet praises to God in worship. I see her with her Bible open and pen in her hand as I preached. Her spirit and my spirit were cut from the same cloth. She has been special to me for a long, long time. We tended to see things the same way. She has always been a great encourager to me. And now, it’s time for her to leave. We talked about this day. We talked about it often. I think she and I were the only ones who really got excited about death and what happens after that. Her dear husband called me. He reminded me that she wanted me to preach her funeral. She asked me that often. It’s one of those things that sticks in the back of your mind but you hope you never have to be concerned about it. Now I do. The time is close. My schedule is filled. I hope and I want to be there. God will work it out. He always does.

I wonder what those devout men thought about when they buried Stephen. I wonder if they asked themselves, “How could God allow this?” I wonder if they felt a great emptiness in their hearts because Stephen was gone. I wonder if they thought ‘What happens next?’

They buried Stephen and they made loud lamentations. Stephen belonged to God.

I expect I have preached more about death and Heaven than any other topic in my preaching life. Faith in Christ takes away a fear that we have. Understanding death reminds us that a person is not ever really gone. They are simply in another room in God’s house. Understanding death we know that a person is alive spiritually. All that made them “them,” remains and lives. These truths help. These facts take away the sting of death. It is because of Christ that death does not conquer us. It is because of that sweet grace of God and that incredible hope in Christ through faith that we know. We know what happens. We know where we go. It is not a mystery. It is not a journey into the darkness. The angels came and carried Lazarus to Abraham’s bosom. What a contrast. Lazarus was dumped at the rich man’s gate. In death, God’s messengers carried him, as a parent does a sleeping child, to the comforts of paradise. God is with us, every step of the way. We are never ever alone when we walk with God. David said, even though I travel through the valley of the shadow of death, Thou art with me. God is there. He is always with His people.

Our passage sets before us another incredible truth. God never forgets. Here all these centuries later, and we study, remember, and learn from the example of Stephen. Who were the ones who threw the rocks? Forgotten. They thought they won. They didn’t. They thought they silenced Stephen. They didn’t. The life of the righteous is never silenced. God never forgets. He won’t forget you. He won’t forget your prayers. He won’t forget what you’ve been through. God knows. God loves.

Every time my phone rings, I expect it to bring news that my friend has crossed over. Her journey is at the finish line. She’s made it. I’d love to be with her to see what she first sees on the other side. I love to hear what she gets to hear. I know she will be thrilled. God is never dull nor boring. God goes out of His way for us. I know she’ll be fine. Her dear family that she loved and cherished will have a difficult time. There will be a huge hole in their hearts. Devout people will gather. God’s comfort will shine. I  wonder who will fill the shoes that she wore. Who will be the one at the hospital? Who will be the one who encourages the young preachers? Who will be the one who takes the food? Who will be the one who comforts others? She did this so well.

It’s hard to grasp the good that one can do for another. Simple acts of love open doors, dries tears and strengthens hearts. God brings people together all the time. Once in a while, it is a meeting that changes each other for good. I believe Stephen had that impact upon others. I know my friend did.

Thank you, dear Lord, for my friend Jo Ann. I pray that her parting is quick and easy for her. Instead of sadness, my heart is filled with thankfulness of a sweet, sweet daughter of Heaven that became a lifelong friend. For the faithful, it is never goodbye. There is another meeting, in another room. A place in which there will never be separations again.

Some day, we will be through with tears, sorrow and death. Some day.

Roger