What's The Deal with Rocks?
I am currently working on a sermon on Isaiah 28, with a focus on verse 16: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed.” You will be able to read that sermon here with more discussion on this stone—Jesus Christ in whom we will not be disappointed.
The passage is quoted in two areas in the New Testament: Romans 9 and 10, and 1 Peter 2. Both passages also incorporate quotes of Isaiah 8 and Psalm 118 where this stone is cast aside and becomes, for those who do not believe, a stone that trips (the Greek word, scandalon), or stumbling block.
I have been particularly drawn to 1 Peter 2:7 where Peter writes that “He is precious to those who believe.” He is indeed precious and really priceless to believers everywhere. If you look at 1 Peter 2, you see what is almost an obsession with stones and rocks. He speaks of the “living stone” that is precious to God, and picks up on that fact that this stone is merely a foundation of the new temple which is being built (the Church) which we as believers become part of as the living stones which are built on top of this foundation stone. These thoughts are not altogether new, but I have been dwelling on them over the past few weeks and came to a few more insights below.
I have been reading through Matthew as of late and examining the Gospel’s use of the Old Testament. When I got to chapter 16, it became clear to me exactly why Peter was obsessed with stones. If you have not already made the connection (you are probably quicker than me), you might want to know that the name Peter in Greek means “rock.” So when Jesus asks the disciples to tell Him who they think He is, Peter blurts out, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!” This excites Jesus, because he finally got it and expressed it. And He says, “…You are Peter [a rock], and upon this rock I will build My church.” So, this is why Peter is so concerned with stones. The promise that Jesus had made to him was being fulfilled (and is being fulfilled) by believers in Him.
This observation is hardly earth-shattering. But immediately following this declaration, Jesus tells His disciples about the coming trial He will endure. Peter once again opens his mouth and “rebukes” Jesus. Apparently Peter did not think that the Son of God should suffer—he did not have the clarity of Old Testament interpretation that we have since the Emmaus Road.
Now Jesus takes Peter who He has called a “rock,” and He calls Him a stone that trips (scandalon) because his thoughts were those of human beings rather than the thoughts of God.
Do you see the switch? Peter is switched from the foundation of the Church in his faith-filled declaration into a stumbling block to the Lord because of his faith-less declaration. You see how it is a reflection of Christ who is the precious foundation for those who believe, but a stumbling block for those who do not?
The book of 1 Peter is a commentary on this very experience which is recorded in Matthew 16. As we believe in Him, He is a precious foundation. As we believe in Him, we become precious stones as well. Indeed, 1 Peter 2:7 in Greek is, I believe, purposely ambiguous (take a look at various translation attempts): it can be read: “He is precious to you who believe” or “Preciousness is to you who believe.”
But those who do not believe find Christ as a stumbling block that trips them up. Further, when we live outside of faith in the promises and Word of God, we become a stumbling block to the work of the Lord. And this is what Peter is writing about in his letter. It is his ‘do-over.’ It is his chance to reflect on his failure to comprehend Christ’s words that He would suffer, and so would His followers. It was his chance to teach us to live lives of faith and obedience in the face of persecution and to be precious living stones that bring glory to the Lord Jesus Christ. And this is his call to us.
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