Welcome to the last of three devotions focused on Easter’s “heavy things” in the gospel accounts.  Thus far, we have examined the heaviness of sin and the physical cross.  Today, we consider the “weight of the stone”; specifically, the stone that guards rolled across the opening to the tomb where Jesus was buried. 

The physical stone at the tomb is an interesting study.  Although most pictures of Jesus’ tomb (which was actually a borrowed tomb donated by Joseph of Arimathea) depict a round disk-shaped stone, many scholars believe it is more likely the stone was square or cork shaped.  This speculation is based on the facts that only the wealthiest citizens could afford a round stone, and the opinion that the Greek word “kulio” (rolled) can also be translated “moved away” or “dislodged” (which would not require a round disk shape).  Personally, I can accept that Joseph’s family may have had the resources to obtain a round stone, but I mention this as a possibility.    

What we are certain of is that Pilate gave the Pharisees and Chief Priests permission to put a seal on the stone.  He did so after they convinced him Jesus’ disciples might try to steal His body.  Such seals were formed with a cord and mud and were displayed to warn thieves they would pay a high price should they breach it.  Guards were also posted at the tomb for additional security. 

The general “take-a-way” in that the tomb was locked up tight.  The stone was heavy, the seal was intimidating and the guards were skilled.  It is hard to imagine anyone would attempt a body snatching. 

But a robbery was the least of the guards’ worries.  “After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.” (Matthew 28:1-4)

As we ponder the impenetrable nature of the tomb, and its miraculous opening, I would like to identify a few ways in which the removal of obstacles applies in our Christian walk.  Perhaps these were underlying messages on God’s mind when He planned the resurrection. 

Obstacle #1 – Adversaries:  Pilate, Herod, the Pharisees and chief priests who played a role in Jesus’ death, were soundly embarrassed by His resurrection.  The chief priests attempted to mitigate the damage by bribing the guards to spread a false rumor that the disciples had stolen Jesus’ body. They even promised the guards they would collaborate their lie if it was challenged by Pilate.  These desperate acts by Jesus’ accusers were almost comical.

But Jesus’ earthly adversaries cannot compare to Satan, the true enemy at the cross.  Assuming Satan is not omniscient (which I do not believe he is), he must have thought he had won when Jesus breathed His last.  However, we now know, this is the very moment Satan suffered his greatest defeat! Through His death, Jesus broke the power of sin and gave the world a means to escape the kingdom of darkness.  I have considered the possibility Satan might have celebrated during the hours after Jesus’ death.  In my warped imagination, I picture him reclining in an easy chair blowing smoke rings without the aid of a cigarette (Satan can do this) and relishing the thought of the stone-sealed tomb.  My imagination is possibly misguided, but if there is truth to the position Satan cannot predict the future, imagine how he reacted when the stone was rolled away and Jesus walked out alive.  Did he jump up and down, cursing God at the top of his lungs?  I’ll put this question on my “ask God” list for my first few months in heaven. 

Because the removal of the heavy stone proclaimed Jesus’ victory over Satan, we can share in His celebration.  Just as the tomb could not hold Jesus, sin cannot hold us.  “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6-7) If you should ever feel trapped by your sins, remember Jesus has set you free.  You have been personally escorted from the tomb and raised from spiritual death.  Don’t look back.  The stone has been rolled away!

Obstacle #2 – Death: The most obvious obstacle removed by the rolling away of the heavy stone is death.  When the women arrived at the tomb on the first day of the week to properly prepare Jesus’ body for burial, they were shocked to find the stone had been moved.  On their way, they had wondered if someone would be available to open the tomb for them (Mark 16:3).  The “someone” turned out to be an angel with an appearance like lightning and clothes as white as snow.  He declared, “He is not here; he has risen!” (Matthew 28:6) I love the image of the angel sitting on the very stone that entombed our Savior.  Now, he was blowing smoke rings produced by ice crystals that formed as he zoomed down from heaven!  Ok.  No smoke rings for the angel.  But he was making a statement.  Just as the chains of sin had been broken at Calvary, the bonds of death had been removed at the tomb. 

As a result of the cross and the empty tomb we can claim victory over our old dead person of sin and eventually, physical death.  “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:4-7).  When you see pictures of the empty tomb this Easter Season, take a good look at the heavy stone (whether it is round or square), and pray a prayer of thanksgiving for the new life you have in Jesus.  Death could not hold Him.  Death cannot hold you!  “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 5:7).

Obstacle #3 – Darkness: Perhaps you have seen paintings of the empty tomb from the inside out, accentuating the light from without (likely from the angel who appeared as lightning).  Yet, in Luke 24:4, we are told the women encountered two men while they were inside the tomb with clothes that gleamed like lightning.  The women were frightened and bowed before them.  If there was a light streaming in from the outside of the tomb, it was joined by the light within.  When the heavy stone sealed the tomb, the body of Jesus was in darkness.  Before daybreak the world was in darkness.  But when the stone was rolled away, there were bursts of light everywhere!  Literally and symbolically, Jesus had dispelled the darkness of sin and death and infused eternal light and life into the world. 

When we give our lives to Jesus, we begin to walk in His light.  As Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).  We will possibly have some dark days when the cares of this world overwhelm us or our human weaknesses lead us to sin.  But we will not “walk” in darkness.  The supernatural light of heaven which lit up the empty tomb assures us we have overcome the darkness through the grace of Jesus.

With these obstacles in mind, it excites me to envision a “before” and “after” scene in my mind. “Before”, there was fear and hopelessness as the world lived in darkness.  “After”, there was victory over Satan and the promise of new life.  Can you perform this spiritual aerobic exercise in your mind?  Heavy stone in place…heavy stone rolled away.  Fear…victory.  Death…life.  Darkness…light.  Before…after.  Before…after.  Before…after! Whew!

But no reason to feel exhausted because God did the “heavy lifting” for us through His Son.  This Easter, celebrate the heavy stone; the chiseled rock that stands as a testimony to our freedom.  With the tomb behind us and heaven before us, we live victoriously. 

The heavy things of Easter have been moved.