The Stone Taken Away

21/1/2023

John 20:1-10

Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.
Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him."
Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb.
So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first.
And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in.
Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there,
and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself.
Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed.
For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.
Then the disciples went away again to their own homes.

John’s account of finding Jesus’ tomb — the stone rolled away — is low key, personal, compared to the other gospels, all of which mention angels in some form or another. John does not — at least not here — but as the disciple whom Jesus loved, he races ahead and is first to arrive, with Simon Peter — who had denied Jesus — following. However, Simon Peter is typically the bolder and enters the tomb first.

This part of the Resurrection story shows us the dawning of an awe-inspiring revelation — for the disciples, but also for us. It shows the movement from the darkness — while it was still dark -- to the light and an awakening to understanding — when the sun had risen (see Mark 16:2). This moment was so staggering that they could not immediately take it in, instead returning to their homes to consider what might have happened.

And what had they to think on? The stone taken away; Jesus gone and His linen cloths laid aside, with the handkerchief from around His head neatly folded and placed separately. These three things gave evidence of something unique, indeed cataclysmic. These things speak of His earthly presence. They are no longer necessary as He has translated to a higher realm. Significantly, the handkerchief which held His head is separate, neatly folded, ordered. I believe that this is a picture for us of Jesus the man, now becoming pure Spirit — Holy Spirit.

Our Lord Jesus has entered a time of transition. He is with us and with Father God, as He was in life — leaving us but not yet with the Father. Why is this? What does this mean? At this point, all we can say is that the stone had been taken away. For us, the tomb is opened; His death opens the door beyond the grave to new and eternal life. Where Jesus goes, we are meant to follow. So be it.

MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS

MARK 16:1-5
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 very large.
And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.

THE STONE IS ROLLED AWAY — Kate Simmonds (and Colin Webster)

PRAYER requires DESIRE

THINK OF THE last thing you prayed about — were you devoted to your desire or to God?
Determined to get some gift of the Spirit or to get at God?
[from ‘My Utmost For His Highest’]

LISTEN TO THIS MEDITATION BY CLICKING ON ‘DOWNLOAD FILE’ BELOW

23-01-21_492_the_stone_taken_away.m4a
File Size:	3093 kb
File Type:	m4a

Download File

LIVELY STONES MEDITATIONS