Sermon Snippet – Rocktober – Part III
INTRODUCTION – We continue in our study of the stone imagery in the book of Isaiah. Isaiah 8:11-18 presents God the Savior as either a sanctuary or a stumbling stone. Similarly, Isaiah 28:14-20 points us to Jesus, God the Son, as the firm foundation of our eternal salvation – “a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation” (verse 16). Isaiah 32:1-2 extends this remarkable imagery of ruggedness and refuge.
1. THE ROCK-LIKE REIGN OF THE KING PROMISES REAL REST
The word picture of verse 2 brings us to a wind-swept, arid, hot land. This inhospitable environment can quickly turn deadly, both from invading forces and intemperate weather. Certainly the people of Israel understood this imagery, for they lived in such a place. The “great rock” would provide both shelter for survival and, if necessary, strong and sturdy defense. “A man” directs us to the man, the “King” of verse 1; it can also mean “each man,” as some newer versions translate. As we will see, both are true.
2. JESUS IS THIS ROCK – A LIVING ROCK
I Peter 2:4-8 includes specific references to the rock analogies of Isaiah. Verse 4, though, is original and strikingly paradoxical. How can a stone be “living”? Rock is inorganic material; by definition, it is non-living. We use the expression “stone-cold dead” to convey this obvious truth. Here, though, the rock is a person, Jesus Christ, Who was dead. His very real physical death on the Cross meant that His body became “stone-cold dead.” It is His resurrection – His actual, physical resurrection – that makes Him this “living stone.” This miracle is the bedrock of our faith, for a “stone-cold dead” Savior cannot save, cannot be the Savior. We remember, as we mentioned last week, that the stone of Jesus’ tomb was rolled away not so that He could escape (He had already risen from the dead) but so that we could have the evidence of His resurrection. Jesus is the “living stone,” a “precious” Savior.
3. WE ARE LIVING ROCKS AS WELL
I Peter 2:5 applies the same terminology to Christians (“lively” is the same Greek word translated “living” in verse 4). We should note the word “as,” indicating that what is inherently true of Jesus is to become our experience as His followers. We are living in the sense that we are guaranteed eternal life. We were stone-cold “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1) but have been “quickened [made alive] together with Christ” (Ephesians 2:5). We are then to serve as little rocks, as small sanctuaries. This place where we worship should be a refuge to anyone who comes here. As individuals, we should be shelters in the maelstrom of modern life. Privately, we should find personal peace through prayer, as we are also enfolding others in God’s perfect peace. In these ways and others, we are little living stones, “acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”
CONCLUSION – May each one of us be sure that we are eternally alive through faith in Jesus Christ. May we then seek to become sanctuaries in the lives of those around us.