It Was Very Large

Daily Reading: Mark 16

Scripture Focus: And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. (Mark 16.2-4)

Devotional Thought: The women who loved and followed Jesus, who supported his ministry and believed in his message, who sacrificially gave to his mission now found themselves doing the unthinkable: burying their friend and Lord, burying their dreams and hopes.  And they didn’t even know if they would be able to do that.  The obstacle was too great.  “Who will roll away the stone for us?”

Who will roll away the stone, dear friend?  Without exception, those who work and live for Jesus will find the obstacles to service overwhelming and the excuses convincing.  But, just like those women on that Easter morning, we must keep going.  When we do, we will find that God has moved the stone away!  And with the moved stone, the possibilities go far beyond our human efforts.  God himself is unleashed when the stone is moved away!  Dear friend, do not miss the unleashing of God in your life!  Yes, the stones are there.  But, yes, God rolls away stones!

Many of us have seen visions of service to Christ and his Kingdom, visions that have overwhelmed us in their magnitude.  Also, between us and the vision there are obstacles, stones that encase the vision in death.  But, thanks be to God he will make a way for you to not only get to the vision, but to go far beyond what you thought you could do!

Keep on going, through the dim rays of dawn - determined at least to get to the stone.  If you do, you will find that though the stone is large, it has already been rolled back.  Hallelujah!

Prayer: Lord, out on the horizon of my vision, I see where you want me to go, what you want me to do, who you want me to be.  But there are obstacles, Lord, very large obstacles.  I am determined to keep on going until I arrive and see that the stone has been rolled away.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 22.12-19

12 Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me;

13 they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion.

14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast;

15 my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death.

16 For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet--

17 I can count all my bones-- they stare and gloat over me;

18 they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.

19 But you, O LORD, do not be far off! O you my help, come quickly to my aid!