WHO MOVED THE STONE?

February 8

Bible Reading: Matthew 28

Matthew 28:2, “And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.”

It was an enormous stone!  According to Mark’s gospel, “it was extremely large” (Mark 16:4).  In his book, Who Moved the Stone, Frank Morison called the stone at Jesus’ tomb “the one silent and infallible witness in the whole episode—and there are certain facts about this stone which call for very careful study and investigation.”  He went on to say: “Let us consider first its size and probable character… no doubt the stone was large and consequently very heavy.  This fact is asserted and implied by all the writers who refer to it.  Mark says it was ‘exceeding great.’ Matthew speaks of it as a ‘great stone.’ Peter says, ‘for the stone was great.’ Additional testimony on this point is furnished by the reported anxiety of the women as to how they should move it (Mark 16:3).  If the stone had not been of considerable weight the combined strength of three women should have been capable of moving it.  We receive, therefore, a very definite impression that is was at least too weighty for the women to move unaided.”  (Frank Morison, Who Moved the Stone?, London: Faber and Faber, 1967).

Some suggest that the stone weighed somewhere between 3000 and 4000 lbs and was of sufficient size and weight such that “twenty men could not roll away.”  The stone was just one of the security measures Pilate had put in place.  He sent a guard (16 soldiers) to secure the tomb, instructing them to “make it as secure as (they knew) how” (Matthew 27:65).  Those Roman soldiers were proud and capable—they failed in a given task under penalty of death.  The guard set a “seal on the stone.”  A. T. Robertson commented that the method of sealing was “probably by a cord stretched across the stone and sealed at each end as in Daniel 6:17… The sealing was done in the presence of the Roman guards who were left in charge to protect the stamp of Roman authority and power.”

The soldiers, the seal, and the stone were set in place.  They had done everything they could to make the grave secure—but how can you lock up the Creator in a cave?  “It was impossible for Him to be held in (death’s) power” (Acts 2:24).  The entire Roman army would not have been able to keep Jesus tomb bound.  The Devil himself could have sealed the tomb with titanium bands and it would have done him no good.  Mountain atop mountain would not have kept entombed He “who is the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25).

The stone was rolled away not to let Jesus out (the Creator is not bound by such things), but to let the witnesses in.  They came to the tomb and found “an angel of the Lord (who had) descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it” (Matthew 28:2).  They entered the tomb and saw for themselves, “He has risen, just as He said” (Matthew 28:6).  The Roman soldiers witnessed the security breach.  They went to the leaders, who then bribed them to lie (Matthew 28:11-15).

He rose from the dead.  He presented Himself alive to the apostles (and others) “by many convincing proofs” (Acts 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8).  They, having been commissioned by the Risen Lord, went forth boldly proclaiming His death and resurrection (Acts 2:23-24; 3:15; 4:10; 4:33; 5:30; 10:39-40; 13:39-40).  Most of them suffered martyrdom for the gospel message that they faithfully and zealously preached.

There are many in our day who, in their effort to “suppress the truth” (Romans 1:18), foolhardily believe that they can somehow shove Jesus back into the tomb.  The problem is—He is the risen Lord!  And He’s coming again!  And no manipulation of man—no matter how clever or strong—can erase that truth.  He lives inside the heart of the believer (2 Corinthians 13:5).  The “surpassing greatness of His power” is at work in their lives (Ephesians 1:19).  No grave will hold them either—when Christ comes for His own (1 Corinthians 15:22-23).

Because of an empty tomb and a Risen Lord, a living hope is availed in this dying world to those who believe.  

Satan’s forces crumbled
Like a mighty wall
The stone that held Him
In was rolled aside
The Prince of Life in glory
Was lifted over all
Now earth and heaven echoes with the cry

He is Lord He is Lord
He is risen from the dead
And He is Lord
Ev’ry knee shall bow
Ev’ry tongue confess
That Jesus Christ is Lord

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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