I Appeal To Caesar!

Pharisees tenderly caring for Stephen’s body affects everyone present.

Friends of Stephen, having just heard of the stoning, arrive late, frustrated, confused, even hysterical. Those who had been helped by Steven, who had previously been afraid to raise opposition to the terrible act, move forward. More mournful voices rise to decry their former ambivalence and the numbers continue to increase. Sympathetic Jewish people, both believers, and non- believers from the community move quickly from their homes to join the funeral march to express great sorrow for the heinous crime committed in their beloved city against a truly fine, godly man. The disbursing onlookers are awestruck by the wail of death that fills the atmosphere. The procession swells until it becomes a huge parade of mourners. The entire area becomes a saddened and shamed community. * * * * * Saul does not follow; he has no inclination to join the burial procession. Turning slowly, he walks away. Saul remembers the times when he and Stephen discussed and even debated Scripture in the Greek-speaking synagogues of Jerusalem. He admits, “Stephen certainly knew the Scripture, and possessed powerful ways of presenting his views.” Saul does not believe that Stephen could make Jesus the Christ or God. How could Stephen be such a fool? Or, was he, Saul, the fool?