The Big Rock

Holy Week has led us into Good Friday as we move towards Easter. The spring holiday conjures up good times from my younger years. Our family had a few Easter traditions that are etched into my memory. One of them was how Mother and Daddy bought each of their girls a new outfit. We got decked out in a lovely pastel-colored dress and Buster Brown patent leather shoes. I usually got a hair bow or ribbon since my hair was long. This happened every year and often required a special trip to Birmingham to Parisian’s, Pizitz’s, and Loveman’s. Not a year went by that Elaine, Nancy, and I didn’t get a fussy new dress to be worn for the first time on Easter Sunday.

The tradition extended into our high school years. Daddy decided to have input and went shopping with us. He found a seat and waited for us to file out of the dressing room to model our selection. It got a “yes” or “no” before moving to the next one.  

Ah, I miss those days. I still try to find something new to wear to honor Daddy’s memory when I can squeeze in the time. I visualize him smiling down from heaven shaking his head “yes” at my selection.

Another fun memory is the Big Rock. I don’t know how our family came about going to The Big Rock other than Daddy having discovered it. All I know is that my parents thought it was a great idea to take the family out on a picnic on Easter Sunday.

We rushed home to change and pack our picnic lunch. Each made a sandwich and labeled it with their name. Mine always had extra mayo. We added boiled eggs that had been dyed and decorated earlier in the week. Dessert consisted of the chocolate bunny from our Easter basket.

The family piled into the Chevrolet and headed to the woods. When we arrived, we weren’t quite there yet. We had to hike another half-mile and cross/climb a ditch before getting to the Big Rock, situated next to the creek. We planted ourselves, lunch bag in hand, somewhere on the blanket spread out across the Big Rock.

As we got older, a few boyfriends joined us on our Easter outing. Parky went once or twice, I think. We didn’t stay too long – just long enough to eat and jump around on the rocks.

We stopped going to The Big Rock when the creek began to rise and slowly cover the rock. Spreading out to eat on separate rocks just wouldn’t be the same. It was a family affair. Everyone had to eat on the Big Rock.

Another Big Rock         

Although our once-a-year family picnic was a grand event, another Big Rock associated with Easter signifies an even grander event. You know what I’m talking about – the stone that was rolled in front of Jesus’ tomb. That stone was the only barrier to someone getting inside the tomb to steal Jesus’ body. That’s because the tomb was one big solid rock. There was no underground passage or back wall opening. The only access inside the tomb was through the front, which was covered by the big rock and guarded day and night. The chief priests and Pharisees wanted to make sure no one could steal the body after Jesus promised He would rise on the third day.

You may be wondering: Why did the angel roll the stone away? Why didn’t Jesus do it Himself? Good question! The simple answer is that He chose not to. According to Matthew Henry’s commentary, if Jesus had rolled the stone away, it would have been like a prisoner breaking out of jail. Jesus didn’t want anyone to think He was breaking the law, so the angel acted like an officer to open the tomb.

Spiritually speaking, the large stone (aka the Big Rock) represents our sins. When it was rolled away, our sins were overtaken by Jesus’s resurrection. Death was conquered. Jesus proved He was who He said – the Son of God. The empty grave showed the world He had risen. His mission was complete.

“On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! (Luke 24:1-6)

He has risen indeed! Happy Resurrection Day.