Text: Mark 16:3-4: “And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.”
Introduction
The women in Mark 16 were walking to a tomb with one problem on their minds: the stone. A massive stone sealed Jesus’ grave, and they had no idea how to move it. It represented impossibility, finality, and a barrier to what they wanted to do for their Lord.
Many of us are walking with stones today. Stones of doubt, sin, grief, delayed promises, sickness, financial lack, and broken relationships. The good news of Mark 16:3-4 is that the stone you are worrying about has already been dealt with by God. Let’s look at what this passage teaches us about the stones in our lives.
1. The Reality of the Stone – The Problem We Face
“Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?” – Mark 16:3
The women were not in denial. They knew the stone was there. It was “very great” Mark 16:4. The stone in the Bible often symbolizes barriers:
Sin as a stone: Ezekiel 36:26 says, “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh.” Sin hardens the heart and blocks fellowship with God.
Unbelief as a stone: In Matthew 13:5, the seed fell on stony ground. Some hearts are hard and do not receive God’s word.
Circumstances as stones: Lazarus’ tomb also had a stone John 11:39. Sometimes it’s sickness, loss, or a closed door that seems immovable.
We must be honest like the women. Pretending the stone isn’t there won’t make it move. The first step to seeing God move is acknowledging the barrier.
The Question of Human Limitation – “Who Shall Roll Away?
The women asked a human question. “Who shall roll us away the stone?” They were looking to their own strength, connections, and ability.
Zechariah 4:6 reminds us, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.”
We exhaust ourselves trying to move stones God never intended us to move alone. Isaiah 43:13 says, “Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?”
When you face a stone, the question is not “How strong am I?” but “How big is my God?”
3. The Divine Intervention – The Stone Was Rolled Away
“And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away” – Mark 16:4
They didn’t roll it. God did. Matthew 28:2 makes it clear: “And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.”
This shows us three truths:
a. God specializes in removing what blocks His purpose.
The stone was not removed for Jesus to come out — He had already risen. It was removed so the women could see and believe. God removes barriers so we can see His glory.
b. God’s timing is perfect.
The stone was rolled away before the women arrived. He is already working while you are still walking and worrying. Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
c. The stone becomes a platform.
The angel sat on the stone. What was meant to block became a seat of testimony. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God.” The very thing that troubled you can become the proof of God’s power.
4. The Invitation to Enter – Go See What God Has Done
Mark 16:5-6 continues: “Enter ye into the sepulchre… He is risen; he is not here.”
Once the stone is rolled away, we are invited to step into the new reality God has made.
The stone of sin was rolled away at the cross. Isaiah 53:5, “By his stripes we are healed.”
The stone of death was rolled away at the resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:55, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”
The stone of condemnation is rolled away in Christ. Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.”
God rolls away the stone so we can walk into resurrection life, not stay outside mourning at the tomb.
Application: What Stone Are You Facing Today?
1. Name the stone. Be specific. Is it fear, unforgiveness, a habit, a financial mountain, a broken relationship?
2. Stop trying to move it alone. Bring it to God in prayer. Philippians 4:6-7 tells us to present our requests to God with thanksgiving.
3. Look up and expect. The women looked and saw the stone gone. Hebrews 12:2 says, _“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.”_ Your breakthrough comes when your eyes leave the stone and rest on Christ.
4. Walk into what God has opened. Don’t stand outside the empty tomb. Step into the new season, the new calling, the new freedom Christ has secured for you.
Conclusion
The same power that rolled away the stone from Jesus’ tomb is at work today. Romans 8:11 says, “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”
You may be standing before a very great stone today. But God is greater. He rolls away stones, breaks chains, and opens graves.
Don’t let the size of the stone make you forget the size of your God. Look again — the stone is already rolling.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, we thank You for the power of Your resurrection. Roll away every stone blocking our progress, our faith, and our relationship with You. Give us the courage to look up, the faith to believe, and the obedience to walk into all You have prepared for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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