The Stone Was Rolled Away (Part 3) Series

• Yesterday @ the Pavilion

We had a few desires as a church, in having this event:

Build on last year, which was our first year

Be a blessing to our community, which I believe we were

Spread the love of Christ, which I know we did

Tell people and invite people to CPC

Here was the residual effect, regardless of the outcome. I saw that we can come together as a church and have an Outreach Ministry.

There was a lot of time, talent and treasure put into making this successful as a church, and y’all were amazing for His glory!

The stone was rolled away

Key verses found in Mark 16:1-8, but we’ll also look at the three other accounts of the empty tomb.

Stand with me as we honor God while reading His Word.

Mark 16:1-8 (read from my bible)

Salome (Sal-uh-may)

Matthew 28:1

Now after the sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.

Luke 24:1

Now on this first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women, with them, came to the tomb bring the spices which they had prepared.

John 20:1

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.

I love it when an event is recorded in all 4 Gospels. It gives me a richer, fuller, deeper understanding of that event.

Imagine if this event had only been recorded in John:

“Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.”

As opposed to this:

“Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, went to the tomb while it was still dark, with the spices they had bought and prepared, that they might come and anoint Him.”

This is a combination of the 4 Gospel recordings of this event.

Not only do we see that Mary Magdalene went to the tomb while it was still dark, but that other women accompanied her with bought and prepared spices for the purpose of anointing Jesus’ body.

They don’t contradict each other, they compliment each other!

Ever played the whisper game?

In our human selves we can sure mess it up

But not God’s word!

Have you ever started something without completely thinking it through? Come on now!

Fireplace story

v.3 “and they said among themselves, who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?”

My objective was to light that fireplace!

Their objective was to anoint Jesus’ body. They had to be in an overwhelmed state of mind, having only hours before seen the barbaric torture and death of Jesus. So, thinking it completely through, understandably; wasn’t on the horizon.

Let’s go to Matthew 28:2

And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone, and sat on it.

Have you ever imagined that there was a barrier between you and Jesus, that didn’t ACTUALLY exist?

With a little research, I discovered that stones that covered tombs, were usually 1-2 tons (2000-4000) pounds.

But if Jesus can calm the sea, He can surely move a little ol’ 2 ton stone!

Ya know, sometimes the smallest most insignificant things can have such a powerful impact or meaning.

The angel sat on the stone! Why? Was he exhausted from moving the stone?

Very often, when we stand on something or sit or something, it is a sign of victory.

This was Jesus claiming victory!

v.6 “He is not here, for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

He is risen- in all 4, but John 20:9 says it a little differently.

I encourage you today, to read all 4 accounts of when the disciples (male and female) entered the empty tomb.

I love v6- (read it again) I am reminded when the two disciples of John the Baptist asked Jesus “are you the One” Jesus replied “come and see”. Both Jesus and the angel are telling us “come and see for yourself”, don’t take someone else’s word for it!

Read v7 from my bible

And Peter…strikes me as humorous.

Not humor in what they were going through, but humor in the over-all situation that existed.

And Peter…as though he weren’t one of the disciples, but include him!

No, I believe that Jesus knew that Peter was deeply distraught over denying and fleeing Jesus.

“The disciples” but specifically Peter, by name. He wanted Peter to know that Jesus called him by name.