A
STUMBLING STONE
Sixth
of twelve in Jesus’ Earthly Life & Ministry Parallel Series
Isaiah
8:14, 1 Peter 2:7-8
Isaiah
8:14: “And He will be a sanctuary; but
for both houses of Israel He will be a stone that causes men to stumble and a
rock that makes them fall.”
1
Peter 2:7-8: “Now to you who believe,
this stone is precious. But to those who
do not believe, the stone the builders rejected has become the capstone, and, a
stone that makes men stumble and a rock that makes them fall.”
Everyone answers to someone, and
probably lots of “someones.” Every team is
directed by a captain who answers to a coach.
Every school room has a teacher who answers to a principal. Congregations are led by a pastor, priest, or
rabbi—who in turn answer to God Almighty.
Most of the people we answer to help
us to perform better. But sometimes, we
don’t like advice. The leader’s advice
becomes a problem. Smart children follow
instruction, but human beings are also created to question. And we often question authority. When does authority become a stone that makes
us stumble?
We stumble when we choose to ignore
authoritative advice. Do you believe in
God, and His Son Jesus? Jesus said in
Matthew 28:18, “All authority in heaven and on earth
has been given to Me.” As you
probably have already guessed, Jesus is the stone that causes people to
stumble.
1 Peter 2:2 advises believers to
“grow up in our salvation.” That means
to get serious about growing in Christ.
Believing in Jesus to receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life is
the starting point of the believers’ life of growth.
Verses 4-5 of 1 Peter chapter two
says, “As you have come to Him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by
God and precious to Him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a
spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices
acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
Now you can understand the
“stumbling” part of growing up in salvation. People disobey the message. “Hold on!” I can almost hear you cry out. “What’s this about being a living stone
building a spiritual house—a priest—are you kidding me?”
Take Home Nugget
Breathe. It’s okay.
You’re still you. The “stone” is
just a metaphor for a person. And we’re
alive, right? You’re also a spiritual
house, because God’s Spirit lives in you if you accepted Jesus as Lord. Nothing’s changed.
Your spiritual sacrifices are godly
living by befriending others and obeying Jesus.
I hope you appreciate that you belong to God (1 Peter 2:9).
Jesus is only a stumbling stone for
those who don’t want to walk beside Him.
J.D.
Griffith
A
personal, private lesson experience with our staff
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