There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. (Matthew 28.2-4)
The angel of the Lord came down and rolled back the stone to reveal an empty grave. This was not done to let Jesus out. He was already gone! This was done to let the women – and later the men – in to see that Jesus was gone.
As the women approached the tomb, I’m sure they thought it was their good fortune that the stone had been moved so that they could tend to the dead body of their friend. They did not dream that it had been moved so that they might be the first to witness the greatest event in the history of the world.
How often do I choose one of these two lesser explanations when God moves stones in my life?
“This stone” has been moved so that Jesus can come out and be victorious over death.
“This stone” has been moved so that I can tend to the dead body of Jesus.
Option 1 is unsatisfactory because Jesus is already out! He has already been victorious over whatever stone I face. Option 2 is even worse! God doesn’t want us to deal in death. He doesn’t move stones so that I can dress the wounds of Jesus. Jesus is risen!
When faced with a stone in our lives, God wants us to choose the best option of all:
“This stone” has been rolled away for me, but not so that I can offer ineffective and futile ministrations to the dead body of Jesus. It has been rolled away so that I can see and by seeing believe and by believing participate in the miraculous power of the living Jesus – The Power of the Resurrection!
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