The Stoning of Stephen

How it must have hurt his heart to have heard
how the people said he spoke about Moses
when Stephen knew that the servant revered
the same God, the God of both thorns and roses.
With what poise, what perfect posture did he meet
that first insult, the first innuendo. the first blow.
This is recorded in the Acts of the Apostles Chapter Seven,
how facing their shaking fists, Stephen stood not alone as
God's own courage made him stand on his swaying feet
when it would have been smarter to run from the stones
but Stephen knew that running would make him weak.
And as he found his way he sought God to the last
rock hurled at him by hands shaking with fear and rage,
yet not on his body, but on the other stones did it land,
because the enemy who fights us is no sage, and
he thought himself the winner... Stephen was dead.
Before he left this world though, he fell to his knees,
and...hear it-- his last words...this is what he said:
"Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." And, of all the pleas he
could have made: "Lord, don't charge them with this sin!"
His dear love of those who killed him is an example for me.
His forgiveness is a lesson for me and for us all.
His witness made him a winner, yet what had he won?
He could not hope to teach the milling mob or reach them all
But God used his death to reach just one...the one
who held the coats of the killers, his name was Saul.

1.16.2009