[It has been a distracting week.  I have only a skeleton of thoughts to share inspired by Sunday’s message entitled:  “Who will roll away the stone?” It was taken from Mark’s gospel account of the resurrection in Mark 16.—LS]

Who will roll away the stones in our lives–those things we are powerless to either change or move?

It will be neither I nor you.  But we move forward carrying the spices, doing the ‘next thing’, the only thing we know to do, meaning to bless Jesus even in His death… The ladies that came to Jesus tomb in the early morning hours had intended merely to anoint His body for burial, to do this customary thing in honor of Him, for love of Him…

They were in for a surprise beyond their highest hopes.

God saw to the rolling back of the stone revealing more than they dared hope, but at first there was doubt and disbelief.

Even so sometimes we weep and wonder where He has gone and how we will make it without Him…

The He speaks our name and we see Him and know that all will be well (John 20:16ff)  He means for us to know resurrection power, to live because He lives.

He calls us His own and invites us into His family!

“I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”Jn.20:17

All will be well.

Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.

We have only need of endurance that after we done the will of God—after we have believed, we may receive what is promised. (Heb.10;35,36)

Who will roll away the stone?  God will do it.

Weeping endures for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

The words of an old hymn come to mind…and with it I close.

Jesus Lives and So Shall I

Jesus lives, and so shall I.
Death! thy sting is gone forever!
He who deigned for me to die,
Lives, the bands of death to sever.
He shall raise me from the dust:
Jesus is my Hope and Trust.

Jesus lives, and reigns supreme,
And, his kingdom still remaining,
I shall also be with him,
Ever living, ever reigning.
God has promised: be it must:
Jesus is my Hope and Trust.

Jesus lives, and by his grace,
Vict’ry o’er my passions giving,
I will cleanse my heart and ways,
Ever to his glory living.
Me he raises from the dust.
Jesus is my Hope and Trust.

Jesus lives, I know full well
Nought from him my heart can sever,
Life nor death nor powers of hell,
Joy nor grief, hence forth forever.
None of all his saints is lost;
Jesus is my Hope and Trust.

Jesus lives, and death is now
But my entrance into glory.
Courage, then, my soul, for thou
Hast a crown of life before thee;
Thou shalt find thy hopes were just;
Jesus is the Christian’s Trust.

Amen!

–LS