Impossible!
The one thing that separates us from God is Sin. Sin is a big deal because the only way to get rid of that sin was for God to defeat death. Over 2,000 years ago God came to earth and lived a sinless life. As difficult as it was for Him to bear all of our sin and die on that cross, it was love that compelled Him to die such a harsh and cruel death. When He was laid to rest in the tomb the religious leaders were concern that his body would be stolen. This stone, when rolled into place, would take several strong men to move it, uphill, away from the opening. The entrance and design of the stone was made so that it could not be moved so it would deter wild animals and thieves. It was meant to be permanent. But to be sure, the religious leaders requested that the stone be sealed. This was done with a mold-able substance that was imprinted with the Roman imperial seal and attached to the stone with a rope. Breaking this seal would incur the Empire's wrath if anyone could get past the guards.
In spite of all of the measures that were taken to ensure that Jesus was dead, when the women went to the tomb the next day, Jesus was gone. The stone was rolled away and his body was not there. The second thing that I notice in this account is in John 20:7. It says that the cloth that was on his head was "folded". There are many questions that surround the significance of this detail and there are some sources that say that there is no significance. The cloths that his body was wrapped in was still there, and the face cloth was folded. They were not just thrown in a pile. Not only did our Savior do the impossible but, He also included all the details.
Some people miss the fact that the stone was not moved until the women came to the tomb. Matthew 28:1-6
Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.6 He is not here, for he has risen,as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.
It was an angel that came and rolled the stone away so the women could see that Jesus, in fact, rose on the third day just as he said he would. In my impossible situation, I have recounted many ways that I have tried to get my body on track to better health. It was not until I surrendered and gave it to God that I really made any progress. I have spent many nights worrying about the course of this disease and trying in my own power to make a change. Surrendering this impossible to God has brought a peace and as I continue on this journey, I see many details (see my prior blog entries) that He has addressed. I can trust Jesus because He keeps his promises, He works in the details, and He can do the impossible.
When you look at all of the events surrounding the first Easter, it all seems impossible. But Easter reminds me that I have a Savior that loved me so much that it compelled Him to die on the cross for my sins. I know I can be sure that my Savior can do the impossible because He defeated death. This power that Jesus displayed is still with us today. I can be certain that He can work through any impossible situation. Although I do not know what that outcome will be, I can trust that He knows best. Jesus makes this opportunity available for everyone who believes.
John 3:16 (ESV)
For God so loved the world,[a] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Romans 10:13 English Standard Version (ESV)
13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Still not sure? Check out this video.
