It is Exceedingly Great!

“And very early…they came to the tomb when the sun was risen. And they were saying… ‘Who shall roll away the stone of the door of the tomb? And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back: for it was exceeding great.’ Mark 16:2-4

No doubt the ladies had laid awake all night with tears streaming down their faces. How could they face the day with their hearts completely shattered? How could their loved one…their hope…their dreams be dead? I’m sure they dreaded seeing Jesus’ body which just two days prior was so torn…beaten…and lifeless. But they were determined to anoint Him with spices and honor the One who didn’t deserve this ending. As they walked towards the tomb, I’ll bet the grieving sun was slow to shine through its swollen eyes of losing its Creator. The ladies were worried about how the weak women could possibly push the stone rock from in front of the tomb to anoint Jesus. But as they neared the grave, they were astonished to find the stone had already been moved. They peered in the cold damp tomb, but instead of finding Jesus they discovered two men whose clothes gleamed like lightning. The men’s message was impossible! But they would soon learn that Christ works in the impossibilities of life. The men proclaimed the beautiful truth that we can also proclaim this morning: ‘He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you…’ Luke 24:4.

What hope has been dashed in your life? What dreams seem to be buried and dead? What hopeful outcome are you visiting that seems like the stone is blocking the entrance? When Christ arose and took that first breath the obstacles shattered…the entrance was passable once and for all! Christ Jesus isn’t in the tomb and all our impossibilities became possibilities with Christ at the center. We must remember the things that He has told us just like the angels said to the women on Easter morning.

Jesus said that we will never be forsaken or left alone, and God proved it by resurrecting Him. Jesus said that He was the way, truth and the life and He is the bridge to eternity which is He. Jesus said that our Father will give us anything for which we ask if we truly believe and trust in His will. Jesus promised that with His resurrection He would come back for us and He has fulfilled His promise by taking hold of our sick loved ones. He promised the day anyone in Christ dies they will be with Him that very day in paradise. He confidently stated that in Christ ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE, and He has proven over and over again. ALL possibilities…mended marriages…returned prodigals…healed loved ones whether on earth or Heaven…private dreams not yet realized… reconciled relationships.

On this beautiful Easter morning may we all take Christ at His word and celebrate that ALL things are possible because the grave was found empty!