Easter is always a wonderful day, knowing that we join the whole Christian church on earth in shouting the great news, "He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!"
Our attitude is much different than that of Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome. 2000 years ago, on that first Easter Sunday, the three women walked to the tomb with heavy and sorrowful hearts. Their Master, Jesus, had been put to death by a crazed mob. They barely had enough time to anoint His body before they had to close the tomb and observe the Sabbath. Now, as they made their way to finish an unfinished job, a horrible thought occurred.
"Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?" The stone had been cut from the rock. It sealed Jesus' resting place shut tight. How would three weak, frightened women move such a heavy object?
We often wonder the same thing, don't we? Who will move the big rocks, the huge obstacles which often appear in our lives? How will we ever get the family finances in order? How will I ever get that important project done at work? How will we take care of ourselves in our retirement? Life seems to be full of the big stones of challenges and problems.
"But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away." The women need not have worried. God rolled the stone away. Their help came from the Almighty One Himself. That huge stone, pushed to the side like a tiny pebble, was the first sign that the miraculous had happened, that God had kept a promise, that Jesus is truly who He said He is - the Messiah, the Anointed One set apart to bring salvation to the world!
From the writer to the Hebrews comes these words: "The Lord is my helper. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" I pray that this Easter season reminds you that the God who rolled away the stone and rose from the dead can also help you deal with the big obstacles which you often face. Call on Him in your time of need. He is your divine helper. Do this with confidence - HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED! AMEN!
