“Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they said among themselves, ‘Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?’ But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was a very large stone.” Mark 16:1-4
“It’s Friday, But Sunday’s Coming!”*
As I was reading the Bible s-l-o-w-l-y, this familiar passage in Mark 16 took on a whole new meaning for me. Let me explain.
I will soon have to participate in an undesirable and seemingly overwhelming task (duty) dealing with a difficult family member. I have no idea how to proceed or what kind of “impossible roadblocks” I may encounter as I walk into this unknown arena. Right now the road ahead looks dark and confusing. As this future event has been weighing heavily on my mind, the Lord has been faithful to bring Scriptures of encouragement to me, and this was one of the first.
Those women who were on their way to the tomb were prepared simply by bringing the spices. They didn’t know how they would be able to get past the heavy stone that blocked the way into the tomb, but they went anyway. Then when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away! “Entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe” who declared to them, ‘He is risen!’” (Mark 16:5, 6). After personally witnessing His cruel death on a Roman cross, it must have been inconceivable that Jesus could possibly be alive, although He did tell them He would die and rise again.
It was a “dark Friday” for those believers following the death and burial of Jesus. They were experiencing fear, confusion, disappointment, hopelessness, and sorrow. What a miserable weekend that must have been. But then came Sunday with the good news that Jesus is risen! He’s alive!
Today we reverently remember this former dark day as Good Friday, thankful for what Jesus accomplished for us on that cross. It feels like this dreaded “weekend” ahead of me is just my “Friday,” but I don’t have to be hopelessly shaken because I know He lives and has promised to take me all the way through to “Sunday,” whether the length of my “weekend journey” is days, weeks, years, or even all the way to heaven! And He can remove any large stone that would hinder His will in this endeavor. “With God, all things are possible.”
As we celebrate EASTER, be encouraged that He lives to love and help us TODAY. It may be Friday, but Sunday’s coming! Hallelujah!
Lord, You are my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. I trust You to make a way where there seems to be no way. I can rest knowing You will direct each step as I take one day at a time. Thank You!
May God give you courage and strength and all you need from Him in this endeavor. I also pray that the heart with whom you will be speaking will be open just enough to have a seed planted. God bless you.
Wonderful perspective! Thank you
Amen!