And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it ~ Matthew 28:2.
Introduction
On the first Resurrection Morning, the blood spoke, the grave shook, the stone was rolled away and Jesus Christ arose from the dead, unhindered. He conquered death forever, and we can now sing, “O death, where is thy sting. O grave, where is thy victory”!
The suffering and death of Jesus Christ on the Cross was not accidental. No, not at all. It was foretold, pre-planned and foreordained from the foundation of the world that He would be the Lamb of God slain for us (John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 2:8).
Evidently, Jesus Christ was hurriedly buried after His crucifixion and death on Good Friday, without proper body preparations in line with the custom in those days. This was because of the preparations for Sabbath. Joseph from Arimathea did his best, though (Matthew 27:57-61).
After His burial, He actually descended first into the lower parts of the earth, where He gallantly fought Satan and his minions, and took back “the keys of hell and of death”, permanently (Ephesians 4:9-10; Revelation 1:18). All these Jesus did to ensure that our victory is a foregone conclusion (Revelation 13:8).
Early on Resurrection Sunday morning, some noble women, followers of Jesus, Mary Magdalene and co, decided to go to the tomb with spices to anoint His body properly (Mark 16:1-10). But, the big question on their lips was, “who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulcher?”
This stone-question was a major impediment staring in their faces. The stone was huge. It was stamped with the seal of the law, and it was well guarded by soldiers. Quite unfortunately, that same question has remained the mournful enquiry in the hearts of many people till today.
It’s a very dreary question such that draws a great sigh and raises ongoing concerns, globally, "Who shall help us roll away this stone?" Or, who will remove this desperate reproach from us?
In our deliberate quest to define our destinies, or to see and to do good in the land of the living, we very often find stones that mercilessly stall our progress. Yes, in our paths to happiness lie some huge rocks, which completely block up the road.
We ask, therefore, who will upheave or shove away these awful ugly masses, and bring full life to us again? Who shall remove the barriers and bring us relief? When, oh Lord?
Well, man’s religions and philosophies have attempted the task, but failed miserably! Even sages and kings couldn’t pin their hands on any durable answer. Happily, those women found the infallible answer! God can intervene in our affairs and renew anything for us, because Jesus arose and lives forevermore!
The women, who loved Jesus Christ so passionately, were also noble women of faith (Hebrews 11:35). Rather than just staying indoors, mourning and grieving like many others, they decided to go and see what they could do with their honorable plan in spite of the stone, and their faith paid off handsomely.
As they approached the tomb, they saw the stone rolled back, and the tomb empty! They didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus; instead, they noticed two angelic beings who said to them, “Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen” (Luke 24:1-6).
Jesus Christ is risen indeed, and because of this, we don’t have to sorrow any longer around the “grave” of any kind as those that are without hope. That’s the good-news to keep and share, all the time!
What Are These Stones Today?
In its natural usage, stones are majorly objects of obstruction. They are natural impediments that can block one’s vision or pathway, make one to stumble, thereby making advancement difficult.
Now, in real life situations, stones represent the forces, the powers and the enigmatic issues that keep the dead within the tomb. At the tomb of Lazarus, Jesus said, “Take ye away the stone" (John 11:39). The stone was the hindrance between the dead and the light of life.
The stone in Matthew 28 evidently referred to the door of the sepulcher. In other words, death's house had a door, and it was firmly secured by a huge stone until Jesus Christ rose from the dead (Isaiah 14:17).
Friends, what’s dead in your life? Wherein are you living and sulking like a prey of the mighty (Isaiah 49:25-26)? Are you being bothered by “huge stones” that aren’t allowing you to make progress, or to fulfill destiny? Just remember: the angel removed the stone, and Christ arose to justify us! (Romans 4:23-25).
Meanwhile, there are some stones which we can and should remove by ourselves, not waiting for any angel (Luke 1:45). These are stones that may disallow us from being fulfilled in the Lord’s work regarding the resurrection life.
Such stones, which we foolishly allow in our lives are the major obstacles lying between us and our glorious destinies, and particularly, between sinners around us and their entrance into a new life.
These stones include our unchristian conducts: worldliness, fear, doubt, uncertainty, unbelief, prayerlessness, lack of Word-knowledge, indifference and, especially, laziness in soul-winning. We must remove them without further delay if we hope to enjoy the fullness of God’s glory (Amos 6:1).
There must be nothing in our lives that could block the way of sinners as they come to Christ (Psalm 51:10-13). If any believer blocks the way today for seekers by his unchristian behaviours, his heart will equally be broken on the judgment day.
Refuse To Be Shut Any Longer Inside The Grave
Herein is the conclusion of the whole matter: death's ancient prison-house is now without a door, and the saints in Christ can no longer be shut in the “grave”, whatever it may be. The massive stone-door was rolled back from the grave; not merely opened, but unhinged, flung aside, and rolled away.
Our Lord Jesus was held as a hostage in the grave for our sins, until the price of justice was fully paid. He arose majestically having fought and triumphed over principalities and powers (Colossians 2:14-15).
He plucked out the gates of the grave, like Samson did to the gate of the Philistines, leaving it as a city stormed and taken, and henceforth powerless (Judges 16:3). Yes, the “grave” has changed its character, forever. It’s now empty, and its power altogether annihilated.
Meanwhile, the decisive victory of Jesus Christ on the Resurrection Sunday represents the actual soul of the believers’ perpetual victory ever since (Psalm 9:6). The fallen man is now restored to glory, given a new life in Christ and nothing can shut him in the “grave” again (Psalm 9:6; Isaiah 54:17). Alleluia!
Rejoice, brethren! Every stone blocking your path is already rolled away, with heavenly angels actually sitting on them now! The stones of sin, humiliation and troubles can no longer define your life.
I see every seal (and the embargoes) placed upon your destiny being summarily destroyed like the law seal on the Resurrection Morning. Those demonic agencies also, monitoring your movements and throwing spanners in your wheels of progress, are now fleeing for fear like the Roman soldiers did at the tomb of Jesus Christ. You won’t miss this! Happy New Sunday!!
** Bishop Taiwo Akinola,
Rhema Christian Church,
Otta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
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