Mark
16:2-4; John 14:6
Mary
and the other women woke up early in the morning to go and anoint the body of
their beloved Master with spices. Their hearts were still downcast and grieved
not only for the death of their master but also of the knowledge that there is
a big stone blocking the entrance to the tomb where their master lay. The stone
represented a barrier to their goal. And they were wondering as to who will
roll the stone away for them. They were not strong enough to do it.
When
Mary and the other women approached the tomb after Jesus' death, they saw an
amazing sight when they looked up but the stone was gone. Who moved the stone?
The gospel of Matthew tells us that it was “an angel of the Lord."
Do
you have stones stuck in deep ruts at the entrance of your heart—stones of
fear, rebellion, despair, or discouragement? Do they loom so large that you
surrender at the thought of even trying to remove them? Or have you tried, only
to realize that no amount of heaving or shoving would budge them? The obstacles
are not made of stone, but they seem just as massive and powerful, and you feel
helpless to remove them. Whatever those stones or circumstances are, your enemy
has been closing the entrance of your heart and mind, until there is no light
remaining. You cannot see a way out or in. You don’t know where to turn, but
you know you want the stone removed.
Then
you "look up" in faith to Jesus, and what you see is truly amazing.
You see not stones, but pebbles, not darkness, but daylight. There is a huge
opening, and maybe you hear a faint divine whisper in your spirit, "I have
already rolled the stone away."
Easter
is all about removing stones. When those barriers disappear, hope emerges from
the other side, new life in Christ. But remember, it is God who specializes in
stone removal. Whether you are looking for a way in or a way out, Jesus is am
the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus' death and resurrection opened the door
to new life. The stones that imprison us or block our path have no power to
destroy us. God is the only One who can roll away your stones and bring joy,
new life, and freedom through Christ.
That's
part of the Easter message. And that’s where our hope lies. Keep looking up to
Jesus!
