The Stone is Rolled Away

Sunday, July 19th, 2026

7:55 am

Good morning! Today I am in Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-11, and John 20:1-2. Early on Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women, went to the tomb with the burial spices they had prepared. On their way, they were trying to figure out how they were going to roll the large stone away. Suddenly, there was a great earthquake. Two angels had come down from heaven and rolled the stone aside. Their faces shone like lightening and their clothing was as white as snow. The guards shook with fear when they saw them, and fell into a dead faint. When the women got there, they saw that the stone was rolled away from the entrance, and they went in and saw the angels sitting inside. When the women saw the two angels, they became terrified. One of the angels told them not to be afraid. And asked them why they were looking for someone who was alive among the dead? Telling them that He wasn't there and reminding them of what Jesus had told them, that the Son of Man had to be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and after 3 days He would rise from the dead. The angels told them to go and tell Jesus' disciples, including Peter, about what they had been told and what they saw. So the women ran back and told the disciples, but the story sounded like nonsense to them, and they didn't believe the women.

Even though there was a major obstacle in the women's way, they still went to the tomb. They went because of their love and devotion to Jesus, even though they had no idea how to handle the situation. Because of their determination, they were the first ones to know that Jesus had risen from the dead, and they were the first ones to share the Good News.

We may have obstacles in our lives that we are facing, and have no idea how we are going to handle them. Our situations may look hopeless. But know that nothing is hopeless or impossible with God. The stone to the entrance of the tomb did not stop Jesus from rising from the dead, and our situations, no matter how bad they look, will not stop God from being in control. God is in control of everything that is happening, and He knows your situation. When you are feeling hopeless, look at the empty tomb, and know that Jesus came back from the dead, defeating the enemy for you. He can help you through whatever situation you are facing. Just like the women, look to Jesus and trust that He will help you. And remember that He is in complete control. Then when the situation is done, and you are through it, share the Good News of what God has done for you. Share your testimony of how God brought you through. Your testimony will give other people hope. The hope that God will help them as well.

If you are in the midst of a trial, remember that God is there with you. Don't give up. Keep looking to Jesus, your guide, to guide you through the situation. He will. And He will never leave you.