The stone the builders refused is become the head of the corner. This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. (Psalms 118:22-23)

A little context

We have been raised on a Bible with two particular phrases, which make this topic, and for that matter, much of the New Testament a bit of a challenge when it comes to the nature of Jesus Christ. Son of God and Son of Man, confront us when we attempt to unravel the Prophets who spoke of the Christ to come. For those who were with Jesus, and those who wrote of Him, how could they truly understand what was before them when Moses had declared the LORD is one Lord. While John begins to show us the truth of the Christ, we also see him using these phrases. It seems all the New Testament writers were limited to explaining the LORD’S Salvation as one sent by God. Even Jesus used such terms to conceal Himself from time to time.

Even though Peter, James, and John were given a glimpse of His Glory, it was after the Ascension when Jesus revealed the truth of Himself to Paul. This aside, the Gospels contain a great wealth of evidence with reference to the nature of His being. It is only when we begin to see Jesus in the light of deity, are we given entrée to His truth. This is the topic at hand, to unveil the Stone of Stumbling and Rock of Offense we are given to consider.

Another matter is the confusion many face when looking for Jesus today. The thought the church remains the only place to find Him is unsound, not the fault of congregations per-see rather their reading of Scripture; although it might be a place for someone to begin. However, we may perhaps wonder how and why there is an abundance of opinion regarding Him, when they are essentially reading from the same Book. Frustrated and hungry, we are seeing new fellowships in homes and coffee shops, in community and school halls. So, our task is to work out why we can’t see the wood for the trees, and why so many continue to search for the true bread missing in the usual places.

A sure foundation

David was the only person in all of Scripture to describe the LORD as ‘my rock.’ The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer. (2Samuel 22:2; Psalms 18:2) David also used the terms, the rock of my strength; my refuge, and the Rock of our Salvation. The Prophet Isaiah also reminds us, the God of Salvation is the rock of our strength. Both build a picture of security through truth, built on a solid foundation.

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: (Isaiah 28:16)

This speaks of the Christ; the undertaking that a proven foundation would be set in place. It is the promise given to Abraham and his line, that by it, all the nations of the Earth would be blessed. For it is through his descendant David, the Christ came in order to complete the LORD’S pledge. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright and morning star. (Rev 22:16)

In this we see Jesus is the foundation of promise through the kingship line of Judah; the God of Salvation, the rock of our strength, the precious cornerstone of deliverance and faith. For no other foundation can anyone lay, other than that which is laid, which is Christ Jesus. (1Cor 3:11) Yet, with the certainty of Scripture in front of us, we see churches and scholars divided, not only on this matter, but the nature of God in Heaven and Earth. When we look into the one who laid the perfect foundation, that by His Grace we may have eternal life, He now becomes a Stone of Stumbling and a Rock of Offense when viewed through the lens of tradition.

The Stone of Stumbling

Paul:

What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore, because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone; as it is written, behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offence: and whosoever believes on him shall not be ashamed. (Rom 9:30-33)

Peter:

Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: where-unto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. (1Peter 2:7-10)

Paul looks at the dividing of law and faith; that righteousness is obtained by faith and salvation is now become the Law of Faith. We obtain virtue in Christ Jesus through believing and not by the work of the law. Peter speaks of the inheritance and promise given, wherein we are sanctified by faith, set apart and called into the light as a people under God’s Grace and mercy. Both write of the foundation promised in the Prophets, now clearly evident in the LORD Jesus Christ.

The Rock of offense

When looking for the root of confusion in the modern Church, our search must end at Nicaea. But it is deeper in time when that root was laid; it was evident in the first century, for many false prophets are gone out into the world. (1John 4:1) Thus, we see misgiving even in the Apostles when Jesus appeared after His Resurrection with Matthew recording: some doubted. (Matt 28)

Peter was offended by accusation denying Jesus as foretold. Thomas said: unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will by no means believe. And yet, in the end he testified to the truth of the LORD and His Christ. So, it is no surprise to see people stumble at the truth in this day and age, when we consider centuries of mistaken laws and doctrine tainting the truth of God’s Holy Word.

…the same is made the head of the corner: This speaks not only of the LORD’S Salvation, but our foundation of belief. Thus, Jesus is the lynchpin, the underpinning of the Kingdom for all that believe. He is the Rock on whom our faith is built and stands. But, many cannot grasp His full worth, even though He revealed the truth of Himself in his Revelation to the Apostle John.

…and a stone of stumbling: So, when we have it placed before us that Jesus is much more than the Son, we trip and fall. It confronts all we have been taught about a trinity relationship of Father, Son and Spirit. We stumble at the Word, when we step off the path laid by the servants of God. It upsets our ingrained sensibility; we become as seeds sown on stony ground when we are challenged in this way.

…and a rock of offence: With our paradigm threatened we now slip deeper into denial, rejecting the witness of Scripture in front of us. We are offended and stumble at the truth of the Gospel, and the teaching of the Apostles. Our very foundation is shaken. We become blinded to Jesus’ own words and His Spirit in the Prophets.

…to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: So, the defiant cannot believe, and falter at the truthful witness given in The Book. The Stumbling God has placed in His Word, is plainly seen in Isaiah’s announcement concerning the Christ:

and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

Be it known the LORD Jesus Christ is all of these things. What then shall we say of trinity?

We will continue to hesitate, when our accepting has been confused by generations of mistaken teaching. It is Jesus Christ our faith is built upon, so our true and proper foundation must be the LORD and His Christ. By His Holy Spirit, the LORD sent Himself so we may have eternal life. His Name: JESUS was given out of Heaven before He was yet conceived in the womb.

This then, becomes a time of tribulation to shake us out of our fears; for the pulling down of errant thinking so we may walk in the light. For without the rock of certainty to stand upon, we are forever caste in its shadow. It was Paul who said we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. (Acts 14:22) This is our test of believing. As Paul advised we must now examine ourselves, our faith, and what we have learned and been taught.

…as it is written, behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offence: and whosoever believes on him shall not be ashamed.

So, let us not be unwilling in the testimony of the Prophets. Let us not be offended by the teaching of the Apostles and Paul. And, let us not be affronted by the two Great Commands of Jesus: The LORD is one LORD, and we love our neighbour as ourselves. (Mark 12:29-31) And let us understand the truth when He said: I and Father are one (John 10:30) for Jesus has told us, He is the way and the truth and the life.

Isaiah revealed: He is the Mighty God; (Isaiah 9:6)

Peter affirmed: Jesus is both LORD and Christ; (Acts 2:36)

Paul declared: Jesus is the same yesterday, and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)

John wrote: The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

When we realize and repent of our error, our stumbling will become our uplifting, and our offense restored to Joy: that we might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD that He might be glorified. Then LORD willing, we shall eat from the Tree of Life, and see the One Name of the LORD and His Christ.