Who Will Roll the Stone Away?

Happy Resurrection Sunday! The greatest hope in all the world can be wrapped up in the words of the angel to the women at the tomb: “He is not here. He is risen!” At the moment of the resurrection everything changed. Brother J.A. Hendrix, my pastor when I was around 13 years old said, “I wonder if those ladies realized just how beautiful the sunrise was that morning as they made their way to the tomb of Jesus.” In all probability, they didn’t notice the glory of that morning because it is hard to see the beauty of a sunrise through tears of sorrow. They were soon to discover the truth

The last week of the life of Jesus was an eventful one. He cleansed the Temple, taught the crowds, and spent time with His disciples. He was anointed by Mary in Bethany and betrayed by Judas. Arrested, condemned to die on the cross, crucified and laid in a borrowed tomb. It seemed as if it was all over, the hopes and dreams of His followers had died with Him that day on Calvary.

Yet the women, in their love for Jesus, wanted to give His body a proper burial. Even though Joseph had anointed the body of Jesus for burial it had all been done hastily. They were on their way to give Him the last level of love and respect they could offer to Him. Little did they realize that they brought their ointments to the tomb in vain.

On the way to the tomb they began to discuss among themselves a dilemma that faced them. They had witnessed a large stone begin pushed in front of the tomb’s door. Their question was, “Who Will Roll the Stone Away?”