STONE OF STUMBLING
Yes, you who trust Him recognize the honor God has given Him. But for those who reject Him, “The Stone that the builders rejected has now become the Cornerstone.” And, “He is the Stone that makes people stumble, the Rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them.”
1 Peter 2:7-8 (NLT)
Peter continues using scripture from the prophet Isaiah (8:14) and a Psalm (118:22) that illustrates Christ as both the cornerstone and a rock of stumbling. Peter encourages Jewish believers by reminding them that they came to Christ and believed, evidenced by their obedience to God’s word. He also points out that many others consider Christ and then reject Him for who He is. Thus, they stumble and fall as demonstrated through a life of disobedience, the fruit of unbelief. For the believer, Christ is the cornerstone. For the unbeliever, Christ is the stumbling stone. What a sobering difference.
Some years ago, Christian artist/songwriter, Michael Card, wrote the song Scandalon (meaning-stumbling block), illustrating Christ as a stumbling block to unbelievers. The following is a Verse and Chorus from the song:
- VERSE: The seers and the prophets had foretold it long ago
The long-awaited One would make men stumble
But they were looking for a king to conquer and to kill
Who’d ever thought He’d be so meek and humble?
- CHORUS: He will be the Truth that will offend them one and all
A Stone that makes men stumble and a Rock that makes them fall
And many will be broken so that He can make them whole
And many will be crushed and lose their own soul
For many of you reading this, your story is that, at some point in your life, you encountered Christ and completely surrendered your life to Him by fully trusting in Him and what He did for you on the cross. Thank and praise God for His goodness and mercy!
God has also placed people in your life who are stumbling in unbelief, and there is a great opportunity to pray for them and to share the good news of Christ.
APPLICATION: Ask God to bring people who need to encounter Christ to mind and trust Him for salvation. Write down their names. Begin praying for them and ask God to use you to point them to Christ.
PRAYER: Jesus, we love You and thank You for being the Rock of our salvation, the Cornerstone of our faith! Give us Your heart for those around us who are stumbling in unbelief so that, in gentleness and awe, we can share the truth and grace of Christ! Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?