Three women — two named Mary and one named Salome — watched in shock as Jesus was tortured on the public stage. Powerless, they witnessed the death of their beloved son and dear friend. Every time they closed their eyes, vivid images from the bloodshed flashed within their minds. “I am going to build a Kingdom,” reminisced Mary, Mary, and Salome.
This promise seemed foolish while they carried spices for his corpse. When they saw the tomb in the distance, they could also see their disappointment. Jesus and his promises were dead in the ground.
Isn’t it amazing how life changes in an instant? Sometimes we welcome someone new into our lives, we receive a somber phone call, or we start a new life in a new place. While our lives can change in a mere moment, this pales in comparison to the moment that changed all of human history.
When the tomb was in sight, one of the women had a realization. “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” Mary asked (16:3). I am sure they considered ordering a tow truck or calling a few friends to move the mammoth boulder. Their concern was futile because they noticed the stone was already rolled away. Blinding light beamed from the jagged doorway like a lighthouse on the shore. Confused, they peeked into the tomb. An angel waved at the women and announced, “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen!” (16:6)
The immovable stone was rolled away like a lime green golf-ball sliding across a putt-putt course. The women expected to see death, but they encountered life. They expected to struggle to shove the stone, but it was rolled away with ease. They expected an obstacle, but they encountered a miracle.
God still moves stones. You may face an obstacle, but God can do the impossible. What are the immovable, impossible stones in your life? These are circumstances that block you, trap you, and immobilize you. These stones can be disease, depression, loneliness, guilt, shame, grief, insecurity, or instability. This story serves as a reminder that God still moves stones.
God does the improbable in the face of the impossible. God can bring a miracle out of any and all circumstances — even death. There is no obstacle too great for our God. There is no stone too heavy for him to move. There is no wound too deep for him to heal. Whenever you face an obstacle, remember that God does the impossible.