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I. LOOK MORE CAREFULLY AND MINUTELY AT THE NARRATIVE. Costly were the spices brought by Nicodemus, costlier than they could buy; but the first anointing was hurried, the time before Jewish Sabbath so brief. With women's eyes they saw defects, deplored haste. They would anoint carefully. Love prompted resolution; love is often oblivious of hindrances. They had not thought of the stone which the combined strength of many had rolled into its place.

II. THE NARRATIVE SPEAKS TO US ON THIS EASTER DAY OF —

1. A work of love.

(1) Love prompted the purchase of spices; the preparation, the early journey to tomb. Love compelled them with sweet compulsion.

(2) Love to Christ has led to greater sacrifices, more toilsome work; e.g., love led St. Paul to give up all things; St. Peter to go to prison and unto death. Motive power of all true work for Christ, love.

2. The cause of that love.

(1) Mary Magdalene loved Christ as her Deliverer, Emancipator. Mary the mother of James, and Salome the mother of James and John, loved Him because of what He had been to their sons as well as to themselves.

(2) We love Him because He first loved us.

3. The hindrances which seem to be in the way of performing the work of love Many great stones in our way.

(1) Our ignorance, incompetency, insufficiency.

(2) The world's sin, indifference, distrust, sorrow.

(3) The formality of the Church lack of unity and love.

(4) Other hindrances of which we may be as ignorant as women were of seal and guard. "Who is sufficient for these things?" Who shall roll these stones away?

4. These hindrances are more than removed if we go on in spite of them. The stone was rolled away, and the Lord was risen. A living present Saviour our strength and joy.

(J. M. Blackie, LL. B.)

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KJV: And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?

WEB: They were saying among themselves, "Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?"