The One that Rolled Away
Good Morning Friends,
The World is filled with stone monuments. Stonehenge, Easter Island, the Pyramids… The Bible has several example of them as well, but the greatest of them all is The One that Rolled Away.
Scripture: Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”
1 Samuel 7:12 (NIV)
Jacob left Beer-sheba and went toward Haran. He came to a certain place and stayed there for the night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place. And he dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.
Genesis 28:10-12(NRSV)
Joshua set up the twelve stones that had been in the middle of the Jordan at the spot where the priests who carried the Ark of the Covenant had stood. And they are there to this day.
Joshua 4:9 (NIV)
They found the stone rolled away from the tomb,
Luke 24:2 (NIV)
Message: I like rocks. I have collected them since I was a child. When hiking I would look for them as a trail marker, several rocks placed on top of one another as a sign. I have needed those boundary markers to guide me and encourage me. I would not physically collect those rocks but I do remember them in my mind’s eye. I guess in some way I have always needed a rock in my life, a cornerstone. That firm foundation, a rock of ages, a place to hide, a place to stand firm and like Jacob, a rock pillow on which to sleep and struggle and experience the thin space between heaven and earth. In past devotionals we have explored the scriptural connection between the hymn, “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” and Dickens’s character Ebenezer Scrooge, in his story, A Christmas Carol. The connection is the word “Ebenezer” that appears in both as well as our scripture reading for today from 1 Samuel. The word literally means stone of help. It is used to describe a stone memorial and living memory of good times. Think of Mount Rushmore or the Crazy Horse Monument. They are witness to a revival of spirit more than a memorial of death. But for me the greatest witness to the faithfulness of God is that marker of grace in the stone that rolled away, for it is a personal witness to God’s faithfulness for all who believe. Friends, God has placed these markers in your life. So today lift up your joy in Jesus, lift high the cross, and remember often the joy of the living Jesus in your life. For today these markers shout out as examples of the joy and grace of God.
Pray that the important life experiences we have with God are well marked for others to see. Pray we lift up the grace of God in songs of praise. Pray we rejoice in the memories of how God got us through the tough times. Pray we realize that we are not alone on the journey. Pray we remember the love and commitment of Christ. Pray we are thankful for Jesus who still lives and remembers us though acts of grace.
Blessings,
John Lawson
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