The Rolling Stone And The Resurrection

MARK 16:1-8

INTRO: WHO WILL ROLL THE STONE AWAY?

It is sunrise on Sunday morning and three women, Mary the mother of James, Mary Magdalene, and Salome bring spices are going to the tomb of Jesus to anoint the body for proper burial.  They did not have time on the day of Crucifixion to complete the burial process because the Special Sabbath started at sundown.  The women were probably the last to leave at the Cross at Golgotha and the first to come to the tomb on Sunday.   There were discussing how are we going to move the stone?  The stone was at least 2000 to 3000 pounds and was in a groove that sloped downward to help to seal the tomb.  They were on a mission but it was going to be impossible for the three of them  to move the stone!    

1. THERE ARE STONES IN LIFE THAT ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE 

The women faced a humanly impossible situation.  The Lord was not surprised by the stone and its size, or by the incapacity of the women to move it.  He is the God of the impossible and He always has a purpose.  Nothing is impossible for Him, except evil, for He is holy.  Example of 2 Kings 6:15-17.  Elisha surrounded by the enemy Syrians.  
What impossible situation do you face in life?  Have you recently considered the “impossibilities” in your current context of doing life?  What would it take to change an impossible relationship?  What will bring purpose to an impossible terminal illness?
Have we considered the value of a broken and contrite heart toward God in the middle of an impossible situation? Truth is, the impossibilities are too big for us to “fix.” Yet, our God says to us in I Peter 5:7 “Cast all your cares upon Him because He cares for you.”  In other words, God is in control.  He got this.  

2. THERE ARE STONES IN LIFE THAT KEEP US FROM SEEING THINGS AS THEY REALLY ARE
Before the women arrived at the tomb, they perceived that it would be dark inside.  The stone would have kept it dark.  But now it was open, and it was a changed room.  Instead of the stench of death, it reflected the luminous glory of the risen Lord Jesus (Luke 24).  The tomb was ablaze.  The divine “messenger” of verses 5-7 must have lit up the room, or the “Shekinah” was present.  The women thought they would find darkness only to discover that, just as Jesus taught them, He would rise from the grave.  
Too often, we can view the circumstances of life as giant stones.  These stones, even ones of our own making, keep us from seeing and experiencing the truth that our Lord has for us.  We have a choice to make: to believe God, or the stone that inhibits our vision of God at work in our lives.  That stone can be a sickness, a relationship, a motive, and/or a tough circumstance.  
We may not rationally understand the “why” of what we are facing, but our God holds us near and dear to Him.  His promises are firm, and Jesus’ resurrection from the grave is the guarantee that what our Lord has told us is so, no matter what our circumstances say.  We can believe God instead of the stones that block the truth about us. Read I Thess. 4:13-18 for God’s promises for our future.    

3. THERE ARE STONES OF OUR PAST THAT PLACE US IN BONDAGE
The Ladies were approaching the tomb like the good, duty bound religious people of their day.  But the removal of the stone and the open grave changed everything on that first Resurrection Sunday.  Hallelujah!  HE IS RISEN!
The stone of the past that traps us into religiosity instead of a personal relationship with Jesus is gone.  In other wards we are not like the pagan who feels like he must work his way to heaven.  That restriction, those thoughts, your chains of habitual sin have been shattered, because of what Jesus did at the cross and then was rose again on the third day!  Romans 10:9,10.   The stone of performance that traps people into thinking God is obligated to accept them because of their accomplishments or service is gone as well.  Those are just stones that must be rolled out of the way because the Lord is coming out!  No grave can hold the One who taught that by repentance and faith in Jesus alone, people can become reconciled to God.  

CONCLUSION: OH YES, HE HAS RISEN, INDEED!
He has come out of the grave, and no stone is going to stop it.  When we surrender our lives and place our trust in the Lord Jesus, we then can live the victorious Christian life.  Are you putting your trust in the risen Lord today or are you letting the stone hinder your life?      

-Ken Hawkins
Senior Adult Pastor