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Principe da Paz Church on behalf of the Ministerial Alliance of Columbus
The Bible tells us of a man named Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy follower of Jesus, who bravely approached Pilate after the crucifixion to request the body of Jesus.
Pilate granted his request, and Joseph lovingly wrapped Jesus in clean linen and laid Him in his own new tomb, carved into the rock. A large stone was then rolled in front of the entrance.
Later, the Pharisees requested that the tomb be secured and guarded until the third day to prevent any tampering. Yet, in Mark chapter 16, we read a powerful account. On the first day of the week, what we now call Sunday, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome went to the tomb at sunrise to anoint Jesus’ body.
Mary knew the tomb was sealed, guarded by soldiers, and blocked by a massive stone. Still, she went. Though she wondered, “who will roll away the stone?”, her faith and love for the Lord drove her forward. She came not out of obligation, but out of a desire to worship.
What happened next changed everything. The stone was already rolled away. The seal was broken. The guards trembled. Inside the tomb sat a young man in a white robe who said, “Do not be afraid. You are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here.”
This is the reason we gather and worship every Sunday. We do so in celebration of the One who conquered death, the One who loves our souls beyond measure. Jesus is not in the grave, he is alive.
We invite you to join the Columbus Ministerial Alliance in our Sunrise Service, a celebration of resurrection and life on Sunday, April 20, at 6:45 a.m. at Beason Crossing Park. Come worship with us and seek the Risen Savior; and a second service in Spanish follows at 7:30 a.m.
Whatever stone may be standing in your way, know this: He can move it. Whatever seal holds you back, he can break it. Come as you are, and witness what the living God can do in your life.
