Suddenly there was a mighty earthquake; an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled the stone away, and sat on it.
Matthew 28:2
In a cool, dark room lies a corpse wrapped in linen cloth. His spirit has gone into Hades and brought back the keys of death and hell, freeing many who had trusted God in the Old Covenant. Only Jesus can go through hell victorious. Now it is time to display the greatness and unconquerable spirit of Jesus. In one reality-suspending moment, the lifeless corpse gasps for breath as though He had been underwater, while light burst forth from His body. He lies still for a moment, simply breathing and reflecting on all that He has experienced. He begins to move, but of course they have wrapped the linen cloth tight. He smiles behind the shroud that covers His face. He becomes free, and neatly folds the shroud and places it where His face had been. His mother, Mary, would be proud. He stretches, bending to touch His toes. His body sure is stiff after three days of death. He waits. He hears some rustling and knows who is outside—Gabriel—always Gabriel. The earth shakes. Jesus moves towards the stony entrance, now an exit, as the stone rolls away. The freshness of the morning rushes in, and He closes His eyes for a moment and takes a deep breath.
What did the resurrection mean for Jesus? The Bible says that Jesus did not roll away the stone; an angel from God came and did it. Jesus could have walked through the stone but instead trusted His Father. Jesus trusted the Father not only in life, but also in death, and then for life again. Jesus waited on the Father to roll away His stone.
Have you obeyed the Father as best you know how and still seem to be stuck not knowing what to do? The resurrection of Jesus Christ tells us that God can be trusted, even if our obedience lands us in a tomb. Wait on God. He will roll away the stone in His timing and in His way. In the meantime, share your fears, frustrations, and concerns with God, and take time to listen to Him respond. Trust is the result of committing your situation to the Lord.
Would you take a moment and imagine what it must have been like for Jesus in that tomb before Gabriel opened it?