Murdering Mob- Forgiven.

Paul, a pattern- A pattern of JESUS' LONGSUFFERING towards all of us!

1Ti 1:16  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 

We meet Saul (Paul after name change in the future) at the stoning of Stephen, a Christ follower.

Act 7:54  When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. 

Paul gnashed his teeth at Stephen- he was cut to the heart by Stephen's words, hating Stephen for all he'd revealed in those words. Paul didn't want the truth, he wanted his comfortable lies filled with his traditions and hypocrisy- he was safe there. Paul had grown up in a family of Pharisees and proudly became a Pharisee. Paul loved serving God in the ways of his forefathers. Paul did NOT believe that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, the Messiah promised to his people. Paul believe any who did believe in Jesus Christ as the Messiah were guilty of blasphemy and should die. Have you ever hated anyone? Have you ever despised anyone? Has anyone ever made you furious, livid, filled with intense dislike? If you can remember what it felt like to hate someone so completely then you know what Paul felt towards Stephen, and in truth, towards ALL Christ followers.

Stephen gave his speech telling the truth that those listening could not bear to hear and this is what happened next--

Act 7:55  But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 

Act 7:56  And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. 

Act 7:57  Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, 

Act 7:58  And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. 

And there is Paul(Saul). A young man. A young man filled with fury for his beliefs that were in opposition to Stephen's beliefs. A young man who watched as the first piece of clothing was tossed at his feet as one of the furious people took off their outer garment so they could more easily throw the stones that would kill Stephen. Not just one person tossed their clothing at his feet but many. Just picture it, visualize the furious mob completely incensed by Stephen. They were going to kill him, they wanted to kill him, they had to kill him and they weren't going to shirk their duty. Off went their outer coat with its long cumbersome sleeves, nothing would interfere with their ability to easily bend down and grab up the rocks. Nothing would impede their throwing their arm back as far as they could to give their throw as much momentum as possible. You've thrown a rock before haven't you? Maybe not with the hatred filled intensity that these men had, but you've thrown things- maybe a ball that you wanted desperately to go as far as possible. You know what it's like to throw something hard, don't you? You understand the muscles involved in this. You comprehend how some throws make it seem as if your entire body is a tightening spring ready to be sprung upon the release of the object in your hand. You feel the power, the adrenaline, the rush of it all as that object meets its intended target and you are filled with happiness.  With stoning - you can imagine the wildness of it all, the chaos. Not one man throwing stones, but a whole group picking up rocks and hurling them with as much power as they can at one helpless target, one man. Stephen was that man, that target and he was lifted off the ground and manhandled viciously out of the city and thrown down while many men surrounded him and began to kill him.

Act 7:59  And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 

Act 7:60  And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. 

There, as Saul (Paul) stood with a pile of clothing at his feet watching the business end of the murder taking place, he may or may not have thrown rocks, but the fact he was standing there with a pile of clothing in front of him leads me to believe he didn't participate in the rock throwing aspect. He consented whole-heartedly to the murder, he joined the throng in its fury. He was probably shouting as mobs tend to shout as they are out of control and committing heinous acts.
 

And Stephen… Stephen called upon God…. Saying…. LORD JESUS RECEIVE MY SPIRIT!  And that spirit was his breath, his life source… the breath of life we ALL receive is returned to God upon death.

roo'-akh  (spirit)

From H7306; wind; by resemblance breath..

Stephen asked the LORD JESUS to receive his last breath and He did, we know He did.

Stephen also cried out…. With a LOUD voice….

LORD LAY NOT THIS SIN TO THEIR CHARGE!

Stephen didn't want his murder upon their heads, the sin of murder they were committing against him. Stephen didn't want the guilt upon his murderers!  Paul heard that! Paul heard Stephen, yet that did NOT stop Paul from his hatred towards Stephen and all he stood for as a Christ follower.  No, it did not stop Paul, it fueled his hatred.

As Stephen fell into death's long sleep, Paul was celebrating with those around him - maybe not with any literal blood on their hands but figurative…. But then again… maybe no blood in any manner because Stephen did not want his blood on their hands. Paul was celebrating the death of a Christ follower and his own resolve stiffened and he knew he had to go after more of these awful Christ followers.

More tomorrow by the MERCY, the GRACE of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST NOW and FOREVER!!!!!!!! All in His amazing LOVE!