Journey to Pentecost

May 12, 2010       Mark 16.3

Rolling stones.  No, not the rock band!  The kind that we assume we will have to deal with in life.  Those big ugly oversized stones that are in our way.  They are the “Red Sea” stones.  They are the “Jericho” stones.  They are the “rise up and walk” stones that are right there in front of us.  They are strategic blockades the enemy sets up in our heads.  We allow them to roll into our minds before we ever have to confront them. 

Mary and Joanna were on their way to the tomb.  They knew that law and order was to roll a stone in front of a tomb after placing a dead body in it.  As they walked toward the tomb they discussed between them how they would roll the stone away.  Fact is, it was there.  Fact is, it had been rolled into place.  Fact is, it had been rolled away and the two ladies had not yet realized it.  Go figure!  How many times have we done the same thing.

We deduce that an event or a circumstance is real.  We know that there is indeed a stone of obstruction or opposition in our way.  We know it.  We have not assumed it.  The evidence has been presented and it is a fact.  In our life’s faith journey something of significance has been rolled into place to keep us from experiencing a resurrection level moment.   We have all been there.  Mary and Joanna were anxious about getting rid of the stone when indeed the Lord has already dealt with it.  What I like about the event of the empty tomb is this.  Mary and Joanna, knowing for a fact that the stone had been rolled in front of the tomb did not allow the information to stop their journey.  They went forward.  They didn’t stop and give up when they realized that there was something bigger than they were waiting for them at their destination.

Isn’t this the epitome of faith?  Moving forward when we don’t know how we are going to deal with the obstacle we know for a fact is in our way.  We know the tumor is real.  We know the layoffs are scheduled.  We know our marriage is teetering on the edge of a cliff.  We know our kids are into some things that could lead them to self-destruction.  We know there is bitterness in our heart toward the one who offended us.  We know our boss hates our beliefs.  We know we aborted a baby years ago.  We know some things.   We are wrestling with where we go from here.  How do we deal with the tumor?  Who will help our marriage?  What will we do when we are handed a pink slip?  How will we talk to our kids?   We know the bitterness is rather deep but how can we past the offense?  How do we reverse the abortion mistake? 

Let me say that whatever it is that you are dealing with – keep moving forward.  Don’t second guess the fact that there is an obstacle in the way.  Don’t lie to yourself and say it isn’t there when in fact you know it is.  Just keep moving.  Discuss your anxiety with another believer.  Talk about your angst in dealing with it.  Be honest.  Be open.  But don’t stop or turn around.  Keep moving forward.   Mary and Joanna didn’t stop and when they arrived at their destination, they discovered God had beat them there. 

Moving forward to Pentecost often times will have many stones rolled in the way.  I can only tell you to keep moving forward.   One hundred and twenty believers didn’t have a clue as to how the “Promise” of the Father would manifest – but they made their way to the upper room.  Think about the “stones” the enemy may have attempted to put in front of the staircase leading to the upper room.  Maybe something like, “Jesus is no longer here.  He left you.  How can he fulfill a promise now?”  Or maybe Satan would make it a bit more personal.  “Why would you pursue a promise from One who has so offended you?  Let you down?  Disappeared after giving you empty commands and promises!”  But one hundred and twenty believers kept on moving.  They climbed the stairs.  They tarried in an atmosphere of prayer.  The promise arrived.  The received their gift.  The sound was tornadic in decibel levels.  The fire was real and it sat on everyone in the room.  All of them spoke in a foriegn, unknown and unfamiliar language.  They hit the streets with a supernatural empowerment that would lead them to change the course of history.  Mary and Joanna were in that group.  They never allowed the anxiety of who would roll the stone away to stop them.  I can only pray you won’t either. 

Move forward in your desire to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Don’t allow the enemy to set up a stone in relationship to the tongues issue.  Tongues happens on its own.  While you are pursuing the journey – as Mary and Joanna did – don’t allow what you are anxious about to stop you or slow your progress toward the gift down.  Run.  Go for it.  Chase after it.  Climb the stairs to the upper room out of sheer obedience and the will of God lead you into a personal Pentecost.  What are you waiting for?  What stone?  I don’t see a stone.  Do you?