Mark 16:1-7: Servant Work – Rolling Away the Stone
Holy Saturday, April 19, 2025
We have witnessed the passion of Jesus, we have heard the promise of covenant fulfillment, and we wait in quiet for resurrection. We rest in the consolation of the Spirit, we turn to one another in our disappointment, and we wait in quiet for resurrection. We plan to go to the tomb to anoint the body of the one who brought promise and healing, we ask who will roll away the stone, and we wait in quiet for resurrection.
From the Complete Jewish Bible: When Shabbat was over, Miryam of Magdala, Miryam the mother of Ya‘akov, and Shlomit bought spices in order to go and anoint Yeshua. Very early the next day, just after sunrise, they went to the tomb. They were asking each other, “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance to the tomb for us?”
Like the women who tend to routine tasks that keep our days moving forward, we wait in quiet for resurrection.
Like the men who wait in fear for consequences they cannot control, we wait in quiet for resurrection.
Like the children who show us the way through darkness, we wait in quiet for resurrection.
Like the disciples who travel to Emmaus, we wait in quiet for resurrection.
Like the apostles who return to their nets and boats, we wait in quiet for resurrection.
Like the servants who know their mission, we wait in quiet for resurrection.
Like the servants who witness and watch, we wait in quiet for resurrection.
Like all those who follow Christ, we wait in quiet for resurrection and we ask, “Who will roll away the stone?”
Like all those who follow Christ, we wait in quiet for resurrection, we witness to injustice, we pray for our friends and enemies, and we trust that when we arrive at the tomb . . . Jesus himself will have rolled away the stone . . . so that we might step forward as servants in Christ.
Tomorrow, greeted by angels.
Read about the March for Our Lives movement in which the youth of a nation work together to roll away stones once thought unmovable at: https://marchforourlives.com/
When we compare other translations of these verses, we open ourselves to the reality that Christ rolls away stones so that his servants might work to build God’s kingdom.
Images from: http://www.intothedeepblog.net/2017/04/marianist-monday_10.html and https://www.generationword.com/Israel/rollingstone_tomb.html
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