Rolling Stones

Rolling Stones

Mark 16:1-8

Now, I knew the danger of naming today’s study, “Rolling Stones,” because many of you immediately thought of the English rock band by the same name with Mick Jagger and the crew. Or maybe you also thought about the monthly magazine from the 60’s whose focus was strictly upon the younger hippie generation with both music and political reporting.

Yet rarely do we think of these words as associated with the greatest event in all of history, the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the stone that was rolled away from his tomb proving to the whole world that Jesus did indeed rise from the dead and is alive.

And so, we come to our text today, and look at this event that has literally changed the history of the world.

“Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they said among themselves, ‘Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?’ But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away--for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples--and Peter--that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.’ So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.” (Mark 16:1-8 NKJV)

It was on the first day of the week, the third day since Jesus’s death, the day we know as Sunday, that Mary Magdalene, Mary mother of Jesus, and Salome, mother of James and John, brought spices to the tomb where Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus laid the body of Jesus. They came to anoint Jesus’s body with additional spices.

But on the way they knew they would have a problem, because covering the tomb’s entrance was a large stone that was rolled into place, a stone so large and so firmly in place that it would take several strong men to move it.

But when they got there, they were surprised to say the least, not only was the stone rolled away, but there was a young man sitting within. He was one of two angels that were at the tomb. The angel said to them, Jesus was no longer there, but had risen from the dead. And then he told them to go and tell the disciples, especially Peter, that Jesus would meet them in Galilee.

And while there is so much to talk about in this story, what has always caught my attention, but little is it ever talked about, was the rolled away stone, which is what I’d like to address in our time together today.

And here is the crux of today’s teaching, and that is, like Jesus who walked out of that tomb, we in like manner want to walk out of our tombs of despair and depression and into the light of God’s faith, hope, and love. But our way is blocked by stones of loneliness, fear, doubt, guilt, and so much more.

Blocked exits are a big problem. Even our own laws prohibit exits from being block so that people can get out quickly if there is any danger. Even entrance doors need to be installed so that they open outward, otherwise, in emergencies, there would be a pile up at the door and people can get hurt and even die. And emergency exits must be always kept clear, and if not, building owners will suffer fines and even the possibility of closure.

And that is at the heart of what I’d like to talk about in the spiritual realm. You see, these exits have huge stones that need to be rolled away so we can enter into the light of everything God has and wants for our lives.

And so, when these women came to the tomb, they were worried that the stone that blocked the entrance would still be in place and stop them from the one final thing they wanted to do for the one they loved so much.

And this is one of major problems that most people face today, blocked entrances or exits. You see, we’re caught in these tombs that keep us from entering into the light of an abundant life in the Lord that Jesus came to give, which is what the resurrection of Jesus is all about.