Something Big Standing In Your Way?

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the
​mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body.  ² Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb ³ and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” ⁴ But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.  Mark 16:2-4 NIV.

 What’s the biggest thing standing in your way from accomplishing what you desire to do?  Sometimes we wait for the obstacle to be removed before we start.  Sometimes we never take the necessary steps to begin a project because there appear to be too many hurdles to overcome.   Yet our passage today encourages us to begin with what we have purposed in our hearts.

 These ladies bought spices for Jesus tomb.  We are not sure if they bought them in the market that morning or if they already had spices.  They did, however, coordinate who was bringing which spice and how much of it to bring.  It was customary to place the spices in the tomb to help with the smell of the decomposing body. 

 They also started their journey to the tomb without having all questions answered.  Not one male disciple or a son was present who would have been helpful to roll the stone away.  Nor did they have authorization for the soldiers to roll the stone back so they could add their spices.  But they went to the tomb.

 Talking about difficult circumstances can cause discouragement.  Some have turned back and some have quit their journey altogether because of hopeless dialogue.  Yet these women continued to the tomb with no knowledge of how to remove the stone.  It was a true fact that the stone was large.  Some believe the stone to be in the shape of a wheel that sits in a track or sloped ramp.  Several men would roll the stone back up the ramp to gain access to the tomb.  This procedure truly was difficult, but they continued to the tomb to perform their ritual.  Even though they discussed about how the stone would be removed, they did not turn back.

 Prior to their making it to the tomb, the stone was pushed over.  Not up the ramp, but falling flat out from the tomb.  One gospel records an angel siting on the tomb, while Mark records the angel inside the tomb.  Regardless, the stone was removed and Jesus had risen from the dead

Now these ladies were partakers of a new mission.  They were the first witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus.  They started their day with one mission in mind, but God had other plans.  Look what they would have missed if they had stayed home until all of the details were figured out. 

 Remember the last word that God spoke to you.  Then take the steps necessary to complete the task.  Be watching, for the journey may have a very different ending.  You may encounter your stone removed, and a whole new purpose to steward.  Plan well, but don’t remain idle.  Jesus commanded movement…He said go. And through the presence of the Holy Spirit, He will be with us always.