Luke 24:1-8 (NIV) 24 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.
2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb,
3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.
5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?
6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:
7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ”
8 Then they remembered his words.
CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED, HALLELUJAH!
Jesus had died and was quickly buried on Friday. Now, on Sunday morning, women came early to the tomb with their spices. The stone was rolled away. They approached the tomb expecting to see Jesus’s body but when they went in Jesus’s body was gone. Two men appeared with gleaming clothes to remind them that Jesus had risen and to remind them of what Jesus had told them before he died.
The stone was rolled away to allow them to see the tomb was empty.
The stone had to be rolled away so the women and later the disciples could see the empty tomb.
The stone was not rolled away to let Jesus out but to let the people see that He had risen just as He said He would.
When the women and the disciples saw the stone was rolled away and remember Jesus’ words the stone of their heart, which had blocked their memory, was also rolled away. After 3 days of grieving His death they began to hope again. Is it true? Is He alive? Shortly after that Jesus did appear to them and confirmed their hope. Then they understood and believed all he had taught them.
Sometimes I find myself, like the disciples, not fully understanding what Jesus is trying to tell me. When I’ve been hurt or when someone I love is hurting the stone rolls in over my heart and I fear. I need to yield to the Holy Spirit and let Him remind me of all God’s promises for me. Then, the stone is rolled away from my heart and His truth and promises flood in and fill my heart. I remember:
- Jesus is alive.
- Jesus’ resurrection is for me if I believe Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead for my sins. When I live with the stone removed from my heart Jesus can come in.
- Jesus is not dead and lying in a grave. He is alive and living in heaven seated on the Throne at the right hand of God.
The stone that is rolled away shows me that.
Is the Stone rolled away from your heart so you can fully rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus?
Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead for me because He loves me?
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for raising Jesus from the dead and for forgiving me of all my sins. Thank you that the stone was rolled away for me. We get to see an empty tomb and that gives us hope, peace and joy. Thank you, Jesus for loving us. We love you Lord Jesus.
In the Mighty, Holy and Resurrected Name of JESUS we pray, Amen!
CJS