About That Stone

What a stone means.

That stone – because of its placement – is a message for all the world. Throughout the Bible, there are many events with stones. Some are used for worship, some for memorials, and still others for rest. On occasion, stones are used for killing or for sealing. Just so, there are also stories where the thread of scarlet weaves its way from Genesis to Revelation.

In the Old Testament, many altars are built to worship God. Noah, Abraham, and Jacob all built altars during their travels. It is assumed that most, if not all, of these altars were built of stone. 

Abraham builds an altar on Mount Moriah to obey God’s command to sacrifice his son. Isaac’s life is spared by a ram in the thicket. It is a test of Abraham’s commitment to God.

When Jacob flees home to escape his brother’s wrath, he spends a night enroute to his uncle’s home. During the night, he dreams of a ladder reaching to heaven, with angels going up and down the ladder. He uses a stone on which to rest his head during that night. In the morning, he builds an altar to worship God, no doubt using stones. I wonder if he used the stone on which he slept!

Stones in the Old Testament

Years later, the Children of Israel are instructed to take 12 stones out of the Jordan River. This is for a memorial for future generations to help them remember God’s “cutting off” the waters of the mighty Jordan River so Israel can walk across to the Promised Land. Moses also takes twelve stones and arranges them in the River where the Priests stand while the people cross over.

Scripture says, “Those stones are still there today.”  Wouldn’t you like to see those stones in the middle of that river? The stones symbolize the place the people crossed over the Jordan while the priests stand on river bottom holding the Ark of the Covenant.  When they cross over, they build an altar with the 12 stones removed from the river bed. The 12 stones symbolize the tribes of Jacob. God tells them that one day their children will ask what is the meaning of these stones. This is their memorial, so they never forget what God did.

Later, when the Israelites are at war with the Philistines, David the shepherd lad takes 5 smooth stones from a stream. He uses only one to knock Goliath off his feet and decapitate the enemy with the giant’s own sword.

The Old Testament nation of Israel used stones for killing people when sin was pronounced. People are taken outside the city and stoned until they die. This is a way God commanded punishment for the offender and an unforgettable way for the people to put away evil from them. 

Stonings in the New Testament

In the New Testament, Paul the apostle is stoned and left to die. Stephen, the first martyr, dies by stoning. The woman caught in adultery is brought to Jesus. The pile of stones, ready for her assassination, are not used.  Her death sentence changes when Jesus tells the accusers that whoever among them without sin must cast the first stone.  Every one of the accusers disappears, as well they should.

When Jesus stands at the tomb of Lazarus, he commands the stone covering the cave removed. Even though Lazarus’ sister reminds Him of the certainty of strong odor accompanying a body entombed for four days, it does not matter. The stone is rolled away and Lazarus is called to come out of the tomb! This rolled-away stone is a foreshadowing of what happens in a few weeks. 

The last week and that stone

The culmination of Jesus’ ministry occurs during the holy week of Passover. It ends on Golgotha when He dies, not by stoning, but by crucifixion. This place, Golgotha, is thought to be the same place (Moriah)  Abraham took his son for sacrifice.

When Jesus speaks the words, “It is finished!” He bows His head and dies. In that moment, the veil of the temple is torn in two. From the top to the bottom, it tears apart. This opens the way from the main courtyard to the Holy of Holies. Now a priest is unnecessary. The way is now open for each person to enter in and meet the Master himself.

The part I like best about this story is that, when the Master is dead, His enemies are afraid He will do what He promised: He will rise again. To protect their ego and religious platform, they ask Governor Pilate to order a seal placed on the stone covering the entrance to the tomb.  Pilate orders the seal to prevent Jesus’ disciples(or anyone else) from stealing His body and telling people He rose from the dead like He said He would.

Another stone – used to seal the tomb

The stone is put at the entrance to the tomb. It is sealed – and no one dares break the seal. Soldiers stand guard to ensure no one comes near the tomb where the dead man is buried.

They do not plan for the possibility of that heavy stone to ever be moved back up the path from which it was rolled in place due to its mass and weight. Nevertheless, at Pilate’s order, the soldiers stand guard while all the world sleeps and the disciples of Jesus weep.

Sometime during that dreary night, God shows His power. Jesus is raised from the dead. He comes back to life. And that stone? It is rolled away from the tomb, but not by human effort.

That stone isn’t rolled away because Jesus needs a way out of the tomb. It is moved so all the world can come inside and see. When those mourners arrive that morning, the stone is rolled away and the tomb is empty!

Inside the empty tomb

There is a sign inside that tomb. It’s in the grave clothes left there, and in the napkin, neatly folded. In Hebrew custom, when a master left the table and left his napkin crunched up at the table, the servant knew the Master was finished and could clear the dishes from the table. If, however, the napkin was neatly folded and placed on the table by the Master, the servant knew it meant one thing: “I’m coming back.”

The empty tomb and that folded napkin make all the difference in this story – and all the difference to a wounded, weary, lost, and dying world.

An empty grave for me

The rolled away stone showcasing the empty tomb proclaims the fact of the resurrection, not just for the Master, but for me.  – and that someday after I am buried and gone, the Master will return and claim His bride.  The tombstone on my grave will be unnecessary. On that day, my grave, too, will be empty, just like His.   

Photo credits: Lump Project via freebibleimges.org