Acts 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.

Symbolism means a lot in Jewish traditions. Those robes were a symbol of identity. It was more than just an issue of righteousness. Once removed, they were no longer the accusers, they were no longer the ones who grabbed Stephen and stoned him to death. They could literally say within their own conscience “It wasn’t me.”

The other part in this was where they laid those robes. They laid them in the care and protection of the one whom they entrusted their identities, the man they answered to on this day. I find this very interesting. While these men obviously new the law and judgment, they still placed their trust in a man. Here is that example of tradition where one man is responsible for the protection of their identity and they showed belief in this man.

So did Stephen.

Acts 7:52-56 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. 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, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

For this they killed Stephen, but wait, it wasn’t me, see I was with Saul at the time!!

When you stand at the foot of the cross, are your sins up there, or are you someplace else?

Psalm 42:7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.

I have this view of my calling which seems lonely. I search the deep things of God, the mysteries, the hidden things, in hopes of finding a little treasure which is mine to find. Often times I cannot share these treasures will my brothers in Christ because few go as deep as I do. Some do and in this one thing I am wrong.

I have given my understanding to deep speaking to deep as this sharing of those deep things only with men who can dive as deep I do. I was wrong. Here is why.

V11a Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me?

Psalm 130:1-2, 9-10 Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

I go to the deep place because my soul is disquieted. There the Lord comes and gets me, to bring me light, to lift me up. How can I be loved by my brothers if I hide myself from them? How can I love my brothers if I hide myself from them?

The Word is not a place to bury yourself.

John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

Acts 5:20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.