Rolling Away The Stone
My Pastoral Ponderings
Rolling the Stone Away: My Easter Sermon on Mark 16:1-8
Very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” Mark 16:1-8
That first Easter morning, when the women made their way to the tomb, they had just one question on their minds: “Who will roll away the stone for us?” For it was a very large stone. It would have taken about twenty men to roll the stone away, given what we know about tombs at that time. So these three women knew they didn’t stand a chance.
They wanted to anoint their beloved Savior’s dead body. It would be their last act of love toward the one who showed them such love. But how? As they headed to the tomb that morning, that was foremost on their minds. Apparently, they were not thinking about whether the guards would let them approach the tomb. They weren’t worried about being arrested, as followers of Jesus. They weren’t wondering why Peter and the others were not joining them. They weren’t concerned with how they would react to seeing Jesus’ dead body, their Savior, crucified and laying dead in a tomb. No. All they were really thinking about was, who would roll away the stone for them? For it was a very large stone.
Easter’s Many Meanings
Easter means many things to us as Christians. It is too big a miracle to mean just one thing. Easter clearly means that Christ is risen. It means that Jesus has defeated death. Easter means that eternal life is real, that death does not end our life with God. That all who live and believe will never die.
But that stone being rolled away from the tomb – a detail recorded in all four gospels – tells us something else about Easter that I think is quite significant. The stone being rolled away tells us that Easter is also about the ways in which God removes obstacles in our life, those obstacles that try to keep us from God, and try to stop us from living the life that God has called us to live.
Today, I invite you to think about the large stones in your life. Those obstacles that are keeping you from living the full abundant life with Christ, here and now. Think about those challenges that are trying to keep you in your tombs, so to speak. Those battles that paralyze us with fear, that trap us, that try to stop us from living, really living, our new lives in Christ. And, then, think about what Easter teaches us about how God plans to remove those stones.
Back at the Upper Room
Let’s start with Peter and the other men who were following Jesus, his first disciples. Did you notice that they did not appear in our gospel reading? They are not going to the tomb to help the women remove the stone. No. They are all locked away in the upper room, afraid for their lives. No wonder the women were worried about who would roll away the stone for them – they couldn’t get the men to go to the tomb with them! The men had created a tomb for themselves, and put a stone of their making over it. And they really didn’t want the stone rolled away. And that even includes the leader of those disciples, Peter. Peter is the one who denied even knowing Jesus, after Jesus was arrested. And now, it seems that he is still denying knowing Jesus.
Peter, by the way, is a nickname given to him by Jesus, and it literally means rock or stone. Peter is supposed to be the stone, the rock on which Christ will build his church. But that first Easter morning, the leader of the disciples is locked away with the other disciples, cowering in fear. You might say, in Peter’s case, that the stone Peter needs rolled away, is himself. Sometimes that’s true for us, isn’t it? We get in our own way. We create our own tombs. And the stone covering the tomb is our very own self.
Who will roll away that stone? Well, after Jesus was raised from the dead, he did as he promised. He showed himself to the disciples. Jesus entered the upper room, he rolled away their stone, he freed them of their fear, and he helped them to proclaim the good news to the world. That is part of the Easter miracle for us, too.
Our risen Lord enters our lives, and even our tombs, and rolls away the stones that are keeping us from being all that God wants us to be. He frees us from fear, and helps us proclaim his message to the world.
They Said Nothing (at First)
The women, of course, didn’t need Jesus to come to the upper room. They had the courage to go to the tomb themselves. Even though they didn’t know what they would do when they got there. And that, too, teaches us something, doesn’t it? That sometimes we need to leave our tombs; we need to step out in faith; and we need to trust that God will be there for us, and help us in our need. The women knew they couldn’t roll that stone away, but it did not stop them from going to the tomb. If Easter means anything, it certainly means that God will be with us, always, and especially when we need God to be.
But we can’t let the women off quite that easy today. Go back to what happened that first Easter morning. When the women arrived at the tomb, the stone was already rolled away from the tomb. They needn’t have worried about that at all. But then they were told to go and tell Peter and the other disciples that Jesus is going ahead of them to Galilee; there they would see him, just as he promised. So, what did the women do? They fled from the tomb, and said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. And that is how Mark’s Easter story ends.
Even after we step out in faith, we can still find ourselves stumbling. There are lots of stones in our paths, it turns out, and it is easy to stumble. The women said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. So, what were the women afraid of? Perhaps of being laughed at. How could Jesus go to Galilee if he was dead? Perhaps of what they had just witnessed. A rolled-away stone, a missing Messiah, and a mysterious message from a young man dressed in a white robe. They would make anyone afraid, wouldn’t it? Or perhaps they were afraid of what the disciples would say. Would they think the women were crazy, or seeing things? Would they even believe them?
The women were afraid, and for good reason. And that fear became another stone that needed to be rolled away. But here is another miracle of Easter: This stone was, indeed, rolled away. It must have been. Because we know the story. The women did tell the disciples. And Jesus did appear to those disciples, just as he promised. And he forgave Peter for denying him. And he promised to send the Holy Spirit to them. And he helped them understand what had just happened, and how it fulfilled the promise of Scripture. And he ascended into heaven. And the Holy Spirit came. And every last stone in the lives of those disciples was rolled away. Because there is no stone too large for God. No obstacle that God cannot remove.
Proof of the Resurrection
Do you want proof of the resurrection? There is none that is more convincing to me than this: That Peter and the disciples, who were cowering in fear in their locked upper room, became the most fearless witnesses to the resurrection that you could ever imagine. Most of them dying, unafraid, and unwilling to deny what had become the cornerstone of their faith: that Christ died, rose again, and promised one day to return.
No one was more fearless than those first disciples. And no stone that this world rolled in front of them could stop them now. Not prison, or threat of death, or anything else in this world. Now that is a miracle!
So what changed? How did they go from cowering in fear in a locked room, to boldly sharing the story of Jesus with all the world? Who rolled away the stone for them? What else could it be? It was Jesus himself, who was raised from the dead. And appeared to them. And rolled away all the stones that were stopping them from doing his work. And after he did, they fearlessly proclaimed the good news of the resurrection of our Lord. No stone could trap them anymore. That, too, is the miracle of Easter. For them and for us.
Closing
Easter is about an empty tomb, and so much more. It is about our risen Lord, with us always, rolling away the stones and obstacles in our lives. It is about God helping us to live our lives without fear, following our risen Savior wherever he leads us, and helping to usher in God’s reign. Easter means that there is no tomb that God cannot free us from. There is no stone that God cannot roll away. Regardless of how we got there, God doesn’t want us to stay there. God wants to free us from whatever it is that is keeping us from the new life in Christ that the miracle of Easter offers to us all.
So, do not be afraid. Trust in God. Believe in God’s Son. Rejoice in God’s love for you. And do not worry about who will roll away the stone for you, whatever that stone may be. For Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
First Lutheran Church of Albemarle
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He is Risen: Rolling Away The Stone
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Happy Easter Everyone
What does the Bible say about slandering others?
what does the bible say about slandering others
+6
The Bible strictly prohibits slander, describing it as a foolish, dangerous sin that breaks community and damages reputations. Key verses include
Leviticus 19:16 (“Do not go about spreading slander among your people”), Proverbs 10:18 (“whoever utters slander is a fool”), and Psalm 101:5 (“Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy”).
Key Bible Verses Regarding Slander
- Proverbs 10:18 (ESV): “The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool.”
- Leviticus 19:16 (ESV): “You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord.”
- Psalm 101:5 (ESV): “Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy. Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure.”
- James 4:11 (NIV): “Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it.”
- Ephesians 4:31 (NIV): “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”
- Proverbs 20:19 (ESV): “Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.”
- 1 Timothy 3:11 (NIV): “In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.”
Key Themes on Slander
- It is Dangerous: Slander is described as a “restless evil, full of deadly poison” in James 3:8.
- It Defiles: Jesus taught that slander comes from the heart and defiles a person (Mark 7:20-23).
- It Results in Judgment: Slanderers are listed among those who violate God’s law, and it is a behavior associated with ruined reputation and destruction.
100 Bible Verses about What Does Slander Mean – OpenBible.info
Psalm 101:5 ESV / 5 helpful votes Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy. Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure.
What Does the Bible Say About Slander King James Versionbible?
Leviticus 19:16 ESV / 5 helpful votes You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I …
23 Forceful Bible Verses on Gossip and Slander – Pastor Unlikely
But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, 21) Proverbs 19:5. A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breat…
Pastor Unlikely
What Does the Bible Say About Slander? – OpenBible.info
For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger…
Open Bible Info
What Does the Bible Say About Slanderaccording? – OpenBible.info
Proverbs 10:18 ESV / 9 helpful votes The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool.
100 Bible Verses about Gossip And Lies – OpenBible.info
Proverbs 20:19 ESV / 747 helpful votes Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.
What are some Bible verses about slander? | GotQuestions.org
With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered. Mark 7:20-23. And he said, “What comes out of a person …
Do Not Slander For It Leads To Destruction
First and simplest, the Bible outright forbids slander (Leviticus 19:16). In addition, the kind of person who can be in God’s presence in described as one who d…
gracewyoming.com
Proverbs 10:18 Share
Proverbs 10:18 says, “Whoever conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool”. Here are some other translations of this verse: * **New Cen…
AI can make mistakes, so double-check responses
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The Benefits of Drinking Water and Tea
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The #1 Tea to Drink for Hydration, According to Dietitians
Looking for a flavorful way to stay hydrated? Dietitians say hibiscus tea is their top pick to sip.
By
Published on June 11, 2025
Reviewed by Dietitian
In This Article
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- Hibiscus tea is a flavorful, caffeine-free way to stay hydrated, making it dietitians’ top pick.
- The tea offers antioxidants and trace amounts of electrolytes like potassium and calcium.
- Hot or iced, hibiscus tea is a simple way to boost your hydration throughout the day.
Drinking enough water may be the gold standard for hydration, but it’s not the only way to meet your fluid needs. If you’re looking for a flavorful way to get more fluids in your day, registered dietitians agree: Hibiscus tea is the best tea to drink for hydration. It’s naturally caffeine-free and offers up nutrients like antioxidants and trace amounts of electrolytes.12
Hibiscus tea is made from the dried petals of the hibiscus flower, which are steeped in hot water to release their vibrant color, tart flavor and beneficial plant compounds. Stacey Woodson, M.S., RDN, LDN, says, “Hibiscus, also known as roselle or sorrel, creates a beautiful red tea containing anthocyanins, which are an antioxidant.”2
Here’s why it’s a top dietitian pick—and how to enjoy the tea as part of your daily routine.
How Hibiscus Tea Can Help with Hydration
It’s Naturally Caffeine-Free
“Caffeinated teas like green or black tea are mildly caffeinated, consequently leading to higher urine production and more fluids lost,” says Amy Davis, RDN. Hibiscus tea contains no caffeine, making it a great choice for staying hydrated.1 Plus, you can sip it any time of day without worrying about disrupting your sleep.
It Provides Trace Electrolytes
Although hibiscus tea isn’t a significant source of nutrients, it does offer small amounts of electrolytes like calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and sodium. Here are the electrolytes found in an 8-ounce serving of brewed hibiscus tea.1
- Calcium: 19 mg
- Magnesium: 7 mg
- Phosphorus: 2 mg
- Potassium: 47 mg
- Sodium: 9 mg
Electrolytes help support muscle contractions, fluid regulation and nerve signaling. Getting enough electrolytes can contribute to your overall hydration, especially during warmer months.3
It’s Filled with Antioxidants
Hibiscus tea is a source of antioxidants called anthocyanins, which are responsible for the tea’s rich pigment. Woodson notes, “Anthocyanins give the tea its vibrant red hue while protecting cells from damage and supporting brain and heart health.” Studies have found that, thanks in part to its antioxidant offerings, hibiscus tea has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits.2
It Has Potential Heart-Health Benefits
Woodson points out that there’s promising research on hibiscus tea’s role in heart health, noting, “Research suggests that regular consumption of hibiscus tea may improve blood pressure, decrease inflammation and support healthy cholesterol levels.”2 However, it’s important to note that these effects aren’t likely due to hibiscus tea alone. They’re most likely to occur in the context of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.
Other Teas for Hydration
While hibiscus is a top pick, several other teas can support your fluid goals too. All of these herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free and hydrating.
- Chamomile tea: This is a gentle and calming tea that’s ideal before bed, as some research shows it may help promote sleep.4
- Peppermint tea: This tea has a refreshing, cooling effect and may help soothe digestion.
- Ginger tea: This one brings a spicy warmth and may help ease nausea.
Don’t Miss
The #1 Tea to Help Reduce Stress, According to DietitiansThe Best Morning Drink for Better Kidney Health, According to Dietitians
Ways to Enjoy Hibiscus Tea
- Sip It Hot: Steep dried hibiscus petals or hibiscus tea bags in hot water for 5 to 7 minutes. You can always add a cinnamon stick, slice of lemon or drizzle of honey for extra flavor. It’s a comforting drink that’s great for winding down at night or warming up on a chilly morning.
- Make Iced Tea: Hibiscus makes a refreshing iced tea, thanks to its tart, fruity taste. Brew a big batch, chill it in the fridge, and serve it over ice with citrus slices or berries. It’s a hydrating beverage you’ll love. Woodson recommends a sweet, fruit-infused combo: “During the warmer months, I enjoy preparing a cold brew of hibiscus tea infused with fresh pineapples or lime and sweetened with honey.” Or, give our Hibiscus-Pomegranate Iced Tea recipe a try.
- Add a Flavor Booster: Hibiscus tea has a delicious flavor on its own, but it also pairs well with infusedingredients. Try mixing in ingredients like lemon or lime juice, fresh mint leaves or fresh produce slices like oranges, strawberries or cucumber.
Our Expert Take
If you’re looking for a flavorful, caffeine-free way to stay hydrated, hibiscus tea is a top pick among dietitians. It’s hydrating, filled with antioxidants, and contains trace amounts of electrolytes like potassium and calcium. Whether you enjoy it hot or iced, hibiscus tea is a simple way to boost your hydration throughout the day.
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Ohio is Too Expensive to Live in Ohio
‘Ohio is too expensive.’ Ohio House Democrats plan to introduce series of affordability bills
By:Megan Henry-April 2, 20263:50 am
The Ohio Statehouse. (Photo by Megan Henry, Ohio Capital Journal).
Democratic lawmakers in the Ohio House are introducing several affordability bills in an attempt to lower the state’s cost of living.
The bills focus on five areas — health care, housing, child care, consumer goods, and energy affordability.
“Ohio is too expensive for too many, and it’s time that legislators and leaders stepped up to take action,” Ohio state Rep. Beryl Brown Piccolantonio, D-Gahanna, said. “For too long, politicians in Columbus have steered the economy in the wrong direction.”
Many Ohioans are living paycheck to paycheck, she said.
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“They try to save up for the hard times, but then they open an electric bill or pick up a prescription, and the dollars that were meant to go to the savings account are gone in an instant,” Piccolantonio said.
La’Quisa Richardson, a mother and a foster parent, said she has struggled to make ends meet.
“More families and individuals find themselves living paycheck to paycheck or day to day after paying for housing and childcare they can’t afford much else,” she said. “When you factor in food and medicine, there is little left.”
Ohio Democrats argue these bills are not about partisan issues.
“We were very intentional about choosing bills that will decrease the cost of living, increase affordability for Ohioans and have a proven track record of bipartisan success around the country,” Ohio House Minority Leader Dani Isaacsohn, D-Cincinnati, said when asked how likely these bills will pass with a Republican majority in the Ohio Statehouse.
Health care
Ohio state Rep. Anita Somani, D-Dublin, is introducing a bill that would create a reinsurance program in Ohio. Seventeen states have enacted a similar law.
“A reinsurance program operates like insurance for insurance companies,” she said. “So if someone got cancer or had a serious heart condition that required expensive treatment, the state would be able to step in and cover part of the cost of that catastrophic care.”
States that have implemented a reinsurance program have seen the price of health care premiums go down, Somani said.
After an enrollee’s annual medical costs surpass $30,000, the State Reinsurance Program would reimburse insurers for 80% of claims up to a maximum cap of $250,000.
Somani is proposing funding this through two revenues of funds. The first would add a 1% assessment fee on health insurance carriers in Ohio, making it a charge on the insurance industry. The other way would be redirecting federal “pass through” funding of the Affordable Care Act to Ohio.
“The crushing weight of the cost of health care is one of the main contributors to the affordability crisis in Ohio,” said Somani, who is an OB-GYN.
Housing
Ohio state Rep. Karen Brownlee, D-Symmes Township, is introducing bills that would provide down payment assistance for new home buyers with $50 million in stimulus funding to the Ohio Housing Trust Fund and a $100 million residential development loan program.
“Ohio used to be a place where you can afford to pay your rent, save up and buy your first home and raise your children,” Brownlee said.
“What we’re going to do is expand the loan program statewide through a tiered structure that will still prioritize rural communities. This is how you launch a housing boom. You stimulate the economy around it.”
Nearly half of Ohio’s 1.58 million renters are paying more than they can afford on rent and Ohio has a shortage of 266,000 affordable and available rental units, according to the 2026 Gap Report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition and the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio.
Affordable housing costs 30% or less of a person’s gross income, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Child care
The average cost of child care in Ohio is more than $10,400 a year, said Ohio state Rep. Crystal Lett, D-Columbus.
“How can we claim to be pro family or pro growth when our policies are pushing parents out of the workforce?” Lett asked.
State Rep. Ashley Bailey Bryant, D-Cincinnati, introduced Ohio House Bill 804 — a child care tax credit bill that would create a refundable income tax credit for eligible child care expenses for Ohioans with a child under 5 years old.
The tax credit would be $2,000 per child, maxing out at $4,000 for two or more children.
The maximum income eligibility for the tax credit is 550% of the federal poverty line — $150,260 annual income for a family of three or $181,500 annual income or less for a family of four.
“This is absolutely not a radical idea,” Lett said. “When we invest in child care, we are investing in our workforce, in our businesses and in our economy.”
Consumer goods
Ohio state Rep. Munira Abdullahi, D-Columbus, talked about Ohio House Bill 633, a bill she introduced with Ohio state Rep. Michele Grim, D-Toledo.
“If a fee is mandatory, it belongs on the advertised price,” Abdullahi said. “The price you see should be the price that you pay. … This bill does not tell businesses what to charge. It just requires honesty and transparency.”
Energy affordability
Ohio state Rep. Tristan Rader, D-Lakewood, talked about energy affordability bills he is introducing.
One bill would call on the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to freeze all utility rate increases for the next 12 months and the other bill would increase Ohio’s gas mileage severance tax from 2.5% to 7%.
“What that will generate is a credit on everybody’s bill in the state of Ohio who pays utility of $150,” Rader said. “That’s an annual credit that real Ohioans can use today.”
That will create a $150 annual credit on customer’s bills, Rader said.
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Megan Henry is a reporter for the Ohio Capital Journal and has spent the past five years reporting in Ohio on various topics including education, healthcare, business and crime. She previously worked at The Columbus Dispatch, part of the USA Today Network.
Ohio Capital Journal is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.
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