“Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”” John 11:38-40
Standing before the tomb, Jesus is again deeply moved. Then comes a command that must have sounded outrageous: “Take away the stone.” Martha objects—Lazarus has been dead four days. Her practical mind protests, even though her heart believes.
Jesus gently reminds her: “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” The miracle required more than divine power—it required human obedience. Before resurrection came, someone had to roll away the stone.
“What do you do when the Lord commands you to “roll the stone away” from your grief or pain? We pray for miracles, but what if the Lord calls us to do something a little odd to get there? What if He calls us to do something radical? What if our miracle isn’t passive? What if we have to “roll the stone away” and bear the stench of our pain and grief first?” Dr. Joel Dorman, “Faith to Roll Away the Stone”, life meets theology.com
Faith often asks us to move what we’d rather leave sealed. We want Jesus to act, but sometimes He asks us to take the first step—remove the barrier, release the fear, expose the pain. Then, He reveals His glory.
Something to prayerfully consider: What “stone” might Jesus be asking me to roll away so that He can work in my life?
