The stone rolled away

After Mark 16:1-8 

They came to anoint

the body, unsure exactly

how to do what they

needed to do: get past 

the guards, then roll

away the stone sealing

the tomb. What were

they but three women?

The guards would laugh

to see three women

struggle to move

the stone, assuming they

would be allowed

to get that close. They

discover the work

has been done for them:

the guards are gone,

the stone rolled away,

and no body to anoint.

Christ has risen.

He has risen,

indeed. 

Photograph by Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash. Used with permission.

Rise My Soul, The Lord is Risen – Matt Papa, Matt Boswell, & Kristyn Getty

Some Sunday Readings

 

The Awkwardness of Easter – Aaron Garriott at Ligonier.

 

John Berryman’s Eleven Addresses to the Lord – Critical Readings. 

 

The day that changed the world – Matthew Roberts at The Critic Magazine.

 

The Most Radical Thing You Can Bring to Easter Dinner – Chris Castaldo at Crossway.

 

The Women at the Tomb: Clarifying the Marys and the First Witnesses of the Resurrection – Justin Taylor at The Gospel Coalition.

The stone rolled back

After Mark 16:1-8

The stone was rolled

in place, blocking

the small cave serving

as the tomb, blocking

entrance to the body,

shrouded. And guards

stationed in front,

to protect, what, 

the powers that were

from confronting

their sin.

Two women come, intent

on anointing the body within,

shrouded, but knowing

the stone is blocking and

the soldiers guarding. But

they see the stone

is already rolled back,

the soldiers have fled.

The open tomb beckons.

Inside, the body, shrouded,

is gone, its absence shouting.

A young man sits, and

tells them he is gone.

The place where he was

is empty. He is gone.

He is not here.

Find him in Galilee;

the end is the beginning.

Photograph by Bruno van der Kraan via Unsplash.  Used with permission.