“Who Will Roll The Stone Away?”

"When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” (Mark 16:1-3, NIV)

“Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” I traced the words as I read Mark 16:3. At my toddler’s cries, I slid my Bible into the nightstand. But the women’s question echoed in my mind through the day.

“Lord, that’s like me, isn’t it?” I whispered later that morning, thinking of the many concerns that fill my mind about almost every facet of my life. “What if the editor doesn’t like my ideas?” “Will my book sales do well?” “What about my next book?” Though the recent diagnosis of ankolysing spondylitis had brought some relief, anxieties still took hold of me whenever I had a flare-up. “What if I lose my sight?” “Will I be able to carry my toddler today?” “Can I make my deadline with stiff, weak fingers?”

Later, in the stillness of a sleeping household, I took my Bible and settled myself on a sofa downstairs. As I read the rest of Mark 16, peace anchored my heart as a few simple truths became clear:

* “But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away” (Mark 16:4).
The problems I face are no surprise to Jesus. He knows the difficulties that come my way, and He takes care of them. Though His answers may not always fit my timing, and though I may not always have an answer this side of eternity, He promises His all-sufficient grace for every trial.

* “Don’t be alarmed…” (Mark 16:6).
The message of the angel at the tomb to the women was similar to the one the angelic host gave the shepherds at Jesus’ birth: “Don’t be afraid” (Luke 2:16). It’s a message I’d do well to keep in mind. My fears, doubts and anxieties when left unchecked, cause me to stumble along the path of His will. Yet, the One who called me is also He who promises, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

* “He has risen! He is not here” (Mark 16: 6).
This is the reason I don’t need to fear no matter what comes my way. Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God, is alive! He who has overcome death, sin, and all the powers of evil forever is the One who walks beside me daily, infusing me, through His Spirit, with His resurrection power.

* “But go, tell his disciples and Peter…” (Mark 16:7).
The stone is rolled away, the grave is empty, and our Lord is alive. That’s our message as writers of faith—to share what we have experienced because of Jesus.

May the resurrected One who lives forever breathe on us His Spirit and fill us with His words of hope and life that others may know Him and the power of His resurrection. To Him be glory forever!

When Anita Mellott isn’t homeschooling, she writes to encourage others. Her book, School Is Where the Home Is: 180 Devotions for Parents is available for pre-order. 
Photo courtesy of http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=10807223&postID=8229640534786172153

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In The Midst of Darkness

The day I went to the garden tomb in Jerusalem was grey, with a fine drizzle of rain that made me shiver. There weren’t many people about, so the garden had a lovely stillness about it, a sombre atmosphere that kept me from speaking. A young man sat alone amongst rows of benches. He was hunched over, praying. Our tour guide spoke in a hushed tone. As we stepped down toward the tomb our feet made soft scraping sounds on the limestone. I glanced back toward the spot where some believe Jesus was crucified, then stepped through the opening in the rock.

It was much smaller than I had envisioned it, the low ledge where his body would have laid, a narrow gouge in the rough-hewn stone. I shuffled forward with the others, then moved slowly back toward the opening. I touched the edge of the rock as I stepped over the lip of the entrance and heard a soft voice behind me say, “It’s empty.” As I stepped outside, beams of sunlight were streaming through the trees. The rain had passed.

I remembered those images as a small phrase in the first verse of John 20 struck me. It’s a phrase I hadn’t noticed before, a simple description of the time of day. But the image of that garden, of the greyness of the day and that beam of light made it suddenly have meaning. The phrase – “while it was still dark.”

The unfathomable mercy of Christ suddenly overwhelmed me. For it was into the darkness of this world that God sent His Son, it was in the midst of the ugliness and cruelty that he lived, it was while surrounded by His enemies and those who had betrayed Him that He died.

While it was still dark. “While we were still sinners…” (Rom. 5:8) He loved us enough to endure the torture and humiliation of the cross. “for the joy set before Him…” (Heb.12:2). He knew the darkness would not last. Light would stream through that garden and He would be its source.

While it was still dark, Jesus rose. And now, in the midst of the darkness of our world, we are able to shout Hallelujah! May the hope of Easter take root in your heart.

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