Rolling Away the Stone by Edward V. Orrell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 18, 1911

Rolling Away the Stone

By Edward V. Orrell

EDWARD V. ORRELL

“THEY said among themselves, ‘Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulcher?’ Thus anxiously questioned, the grief-stricken women hastening toward their beloved Master’s tomb, against the aperture of which a mammoth stone had been rolled.

How they had loved him! How fully they had believed on him! How hopefully they had followed him! Yea, their living love still cherished hope, even though confronted by the hope-blighting fact that their Redeemer was dead; and they pressed on, hoping at least to have access to the presence of his precious clay. But behold! “when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away.” On entering the sepulcher they saw an angel, and heard a voice saying, “He is risen; he is not here.” And the angel commissioned them to publish the glad tidings, “He is risen.”

It was not the first time that this anxious inquiry had come from the human heart,—this day when these disciples of the Lord “said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulcher?” Ages back, before death was common, Adam, noting the beginning of the awful work of the great enemy to whom he had foolishly transferred his dominion over the earth,—the parched grass, the ominous pallor tipping the leaves, the blighted bud, and the fruit untimely cast,—in bitter anguish of spirit sighed forth from his stricken heart that same interrogation. Later, when bowed to the earth in grief beside the first grave, he gave utterance, from a still greater depth than before, to the same cry, “Who shall roll us away the stone?” Then He who has been in all ages an ever-present help came near, and spoke to him, saying: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

This gracious invitation has been pleadingly repeated, over and over, to every heart that has throbbed on earth; and all who have heeded this loving call have been guided by the Spirit into an understanding of God’s wonderful plan for rolling away the stone.

The trail of death has wound so constantly around every part of the earth, from the very gate of Eden until now, that this planet has become a vast sepulcher, filled with the dust of the dead. Of this age it can be said more truly than of any gone before, that “to die is common.” However, there are quiet moments, even in the experience of the madly rushing men of to-day, in which attention is reined up before the threatening tomb, and the inquiry of the heart is voiced in a pitiful question: “After death, what? Whence cometh deliverance from that awful doom? I must die! Who will roll away the stone from the door of my sepulcher?” Let such listen to the pleading Spirit: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

When the women at the tomb of Jesus were bidden by the angel to make known that all their fears concerning the power of death had been swept away, they were invited to yoke up with the Saviour, and become colaborers with him in his work of deliverance. As soon as they saw, they were directed to tell. The same Spirit is in the world to-day, inviting all who have seen to yoke up with the Lord, and go telling. The footsteps of the angel who rolled away the stone shook the earth; so the powerful vibrations of this telling have thrilled the souls of men, and shaken the kingdom of darkness to its very center.

God could have spoken from his throne on high to call his Son back to life with his own voice, but he did not choose to accomplish even this great work alone; he condescended to grant others the privilege of assisting him. Angels of his power were commissioned to deliver the sleeping Saviour from the prison-house of the enemy.

This same unselfish desire to favor others with the high privilege of co-operating in his wonderful works was always manifested by the man Jesus. Witness how graciously he assigned to his disciples a part in the feeding of the multitude, and in the seemingly greater work of raising Lazarus. Upon the latter occasion, he said to them, “Take ye away the stone.” This he is still saying to all who will take up the cross and follow him. “Take ye away the stone,” is the Master’s command to his followers; and in responding with willing, loving obedience, they take up his cross, and unite in his labors.

To earnestly strive against evil is to oppose the power that seals the tomb, and to thus strive is to press against the obstinate stone which the prince of darkness determined should remain forever at the door of his prison-house.

The glorious deliverance of God’s people is now almost accomplished. Very soon the stone will have been rolled away, the mouth of the sepulcher will be opened, and death, the last enemy, will be forced by the power of His glory to yield up the prisoners of hope. Then from the gloom of the tomb will come forth glorified life, and from the dismal depths of chill and silence, loving warmth will respond to Love’s call with loud hosannas to greet the King of kings.

Hasten to co-operate with God. Promptly take up the cross of Christ. Carry the message. Sound it loudly and faithfully. Let every personal interest be made subservient to this great privilege. Let nothing connect with your experience to muffle the sound of the glorious proclamation: He is risen, triumphant over death; he holds the key of the tomb, he is coming soon to deliver the captives from the grave.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.”

Baltimore, Md.