What Jesus Did! 'Who Will Roll Away the Stone?' — Mark 16:3

Wednesday, December 25, 2024

On the way [to the tomb, the women who were going to anoint Jesus' body] were asking each other, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?"
— Mark 16:3 NLT

Key Thought

"Who will roll away the stone for us?" This was the question of the women who had followed Jesus. For us, the question might be: Who will balance the checkbook, service the car, mow the lawn, take care of the house, do the laundry, bake the Christmas cookies, ... On and on we could go about the practical questions that result from the death of a loved one. In the face of death, we often find ourselves with bewildering and overwhelming questions. These are practical questions. These are hard questions. These are confusing questions. Jesus' death was no different. Life goes on for those left behind in grief. More than just offering quiet and nice platitudes, let's get to work helping "roll away the stone" for each person who needs grace — let's do practical and helpful things that need doing for those who are overwhelmed with grief.

Today's Prayer

Dear God, grief comes back during the Christmas season and hits us surprisingly hard. Please be with us and help us make it through this year's Christmas with appreciation for those who have gone to be with you before us. Give us the courage to walk faithfully in their footsteps. Please provide us with the support of Christian community to help us "roll away our stone" and do the things that most need doing. And, dear Father, please use us — use me — to help those in grief in very practical ways. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Luke 7:11-15
  • 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
  • 1 Corinthians 15:57-58

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Illustration

Illustration of Mark 16:3 NLT — On the way [to the tomb, the women who were going to anoint Jesus' body] were asking each other, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?"

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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