As the season of Eastertide continues, my devotional readings have focused on resurrection events. Mark 16:2-3 intrigues me.
“Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”
Their impulse was to honor Jesus’ body in the manner they had been taught. To have permitted the body of one you loved, more importantly, one you believed to be God’s Son, to be treated inappropriately would have been unforgivable. So, they gathered the necessary resources and hurried to the tomb.
I love that they took off without knowing who would move the stone that sealed the tomb. I’ve read past that many times across the years. Here’s what the Lord taught me this year. Sometimes the Spirit moves us before we have all the details. This is not an excuse for poor planning. This is a reminder to exercise our faith muscle when the Spirit urges action. Sometimes God just needs us to step out. We can trust him.
(For reference, see Abram in Genesis 12:1)
Second, it was on their way to do a good thing that they experienced a great thing. This captivates me. Can you think of times you set out to do something you sensed God was moving you to do, only to unexpectedly experience God in a much more powerful way? Have you gone on a mission trip to serve some folks and come away blessed beyond words? Have you dragged yourself to a worship service only to have God do something there that changed your life? Me too! I’m reminded today to quickly follow when I sense the Spirit moving. You never know when resurrecting power might be waiting on you.
On the way to strain against the weight of the stone, tears of grief staining their cheeks, God had other plans. The same God that raised Jesus from the dead has similar appointments set up for you. When the Spirit moves, you move. I’m trying to live that way. Join me?
Sam
