<![CDATA[Danyelle Scroggins | Christian Author, Pastor & Inspirational Speaker - Christian Blogs / Faith & Encouragement]]>

Scripture Reading: Mark 16:1–8
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”
But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”
Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

Devotion:
As I sit in the stillness following Resurrection Sunday, my heart keeps returning to this passage—and to the message my husband, Pastor Reynard Scroggins Sr. shared.
I can’t help but picture those women.
They were faithful. They were committed. They were showing up for Jesus… even in what felt like the end of the story. But on their way, a question weighed heavily on their minds:
“Who will roll the stone away?”
They anticipated the obstacle before they ever reached it.
And if I’m honest, so do we.
We often spend our time worrying about what might stand in our way—what could block us, delay us, or discourage us from getting to Jesus. Whether it’s busyness, doubt, exhaustion, or fear, there always seems to be something trying to come between us and our time with Him.
But what moved me most is this: When they arrived… the stone had already been rolled away.
The very thing they feared had already been handled.
How many times have we carried the weight of a “stone” that God has already moved?
We stress. We overthink. We try to plan and prepare for obstacles that, in reality, are no longer there. What looks heavy from a distance may already be settled in the hands of God.
This passage reminds me that Jesus is always ahead of us.
Every promise He makes, He fulfills. Just as He said, He rose. Just as He said, He went before them. Just as He said, they would see Him again.
And that truth still stands today.
His death was necessary.
His burial was temporary.
But His resurrection was primary—it changed everything.
So today, I’m choosing to walk forward, even if I think there’s a stone in the way.
Because chances are…God has already rolled it away.

Reflection Question:
What “stone” have you been worrying about that God may have already taken care of?

Prayer:
Lord, help me to trust You beyond what I see. When I feel blocked or burdened by what’s ahead, remind me that You are already there. Strengthen my faith to keep walking, knowing You’ve already made a way. Amen.