Rev. J. Loren Russell
SCRIPTURE: (Mark 16:1-6 ( NKJV)
“Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. 2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.
6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.”
It was early Sunday morning, the end of the Sabbath and first day of the week, when Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome decided to follow the custom of the Jews and go to the graveyard. They made their way to the tomb carrying spices in their hands, but sorrow in their hearts. They came to anoint a body… not expecting a miracle. As they walked, a question weighed on their minds: “Who will roll away the stone?” The stone was massive, immovable by human strength. It represented finality, death, and the end. But when they arrived, the stone had already been rolled away.
They entered the tomb expecting to find a lifeless prophet, but instead, they encountered a divine messenger. A young man clothed in white, sitting where death had once claimed victory. Recognizing their fear, he spoke: “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified… He is risen! He is not here.” Luke 24:5 records that encounter a little differently; he says they were asked, “Why seek ye the living among the dead?”
It is a question that still echoes today: Why do we look for peace in places that cannot sustain us? Why do we search for fulfillment in things that have no life in them? Why do we expect God to move in places He has already left behind?
The women came to the tomb in mourning—but they did not leave the same way. They were given a message and a mission: “Go, tell His disciples… and Peter.”
That detail matters. Peter, who had denied Jesus, was still being called. His failure did not disqualify him from being included in the resurrection story. Grace made sure of that. And by that same grace, we are not that different from Peter. We are included in the resurrection narrative also.
Yet even with good news, fear took hold. Mark tells us they were afraid. Fear has a way of silencing us, even when we have encountered something life-changing. It can cause us to hesitate when we should speak, to hold back when we should move forward.
Still, the story does not end there. Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, and she went and told the disciples. Though they struggled to believe at first, something began to shift. By the end of the chapter, those who once doubted were boldly proclaiming the message everywhere, and the Lord was working with them.
What made the difference? The resurrection!
That Sunday morning was not typical because it marked the turning point of history. Death no longer had the final word. The grave no longer held ultimate power. Hope, which seemed buried, had risen.
And that same truth speaks to us now. Whatever “stone” stands in your way—God is able to move it. Whatever situation feels lifeless—God is able to bring life to it. Whatever grief you carry—God can transform it into purpose.
The women came expecting to anoint a body, but instead they encountered a living Savior. Their sorrow was interrupted by hope. Their routine was disrupted by resurrection power. This was not just another Sunday morning.
It was Resurrection Day.
And because of that, no day has to remain ordinary again.
Be Blessed!
Matters of Faith 
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