“There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.” Matthew 28:2 NIV
I know tomorrow is Easter, but Jimbob wants to be a part of the story today.
What’s the big deal about the stone? The Pharisees knew its significance.
62 The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63 “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.” 65 “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard. Matthew 27:62-66 NIV
The stone was the sound of the gavel from the authority of man to rule Jesus guilty. But God has a higher judgment from heaven. Listen to Matthew Henry’s commentary on this passage. “but He chose to have it done by an angel to signify that having undertaken to make satisfaction for our sin, He did not break prison, but had a fair and legal discharger, obtained from heaven.” God’s final word was to remove the stone and let all know that the Father had received the sacrifice as finished for all of us.
The stone may have been 1 ton in weight in which it takes several people to roll it into place, Matthew records the stone was not rolled away, but pushed over for the angel to sit upon. Jesus did not set himself free, He was raised to new ever lasting life by God, His Father.
The stone is symbolic of the judgment of sin. God has removed the barrier and access to God is wide open through Jesus. Let that sink in for a moment. The death on the cross, the blood that was shed, the burial and the resurrection all provide a wide open access to God the Father…Hallelujah. No work of our own, God has made the way.
The stone is prophetic of other barriers. God can remove the stones which block access to Him in our lives. If God can remove that big stone, He can remove other stones in your life…this is hope. What obstacles are keeping you away from God? Other than salvation, the door is open, the stone is removed for you to walk in intimacy with God.
Praise God for every little and big detail regarding the proof of the resurrection of Jesus. The stone is down and the tomb is empty. Jesus is preparing a new home for each of His followers…that is gonna be some home.
Blessings Love y’all