Some years back, I accompanied my grandkids to a park. They were full of energy and expectation. Upon arrival, I gave the usual warning – “Now, be careful as you tackle this playground!” Their response? “O.K. We will!” Well, they climbed equipment, explored, and jumped from tree stump to every conquerable obstacle. The oldest mid-teen made a bounding leap – landing in a wipe-out. Boom! “Are you OK?” “Ya. I’m fine.” Then, another bounding leap – another wipe-out! Kersplat! “You still OK?” “Yup, I’m good.” Remarkably, yet another attempted giant leap for “teen-kind.” Ya-hoo-hoo-hoo! Trip-and-sprawl! Back up again – still grinning. Goodness! That brilliant offspring found every stumbling stone the park offered. Perhaps a successful visit?! I think it’s worth exploring what a stumbling stone is.

Let’s Tear Into – The Stumbling Stone

We always explore four categories in Scripture dissection:

1. What Does It Say?
2. What Does It Mean?
3. Make It Personal.
4. Make A Commitment.

 

1. What Does It Say?

For me, Scriptures about the stumbling stone are among the most amazing, yet puzzling. The way they read seems uncomfortable. Nevertheless, these nuggets of gold should be pursued with eagerness and energy (like my grandkids explored the park).

Stumbling Stone Scriptures

• 1 Pet. 2:8 – “Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe – ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, and – ‘A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.’ “
• Is. 8:14-15 – “He will be a holy place . . . a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall . . . a trap and a snare. Many of them will stumble . . . fall and be broken . . .”
• Rom. 9:33 – “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. The one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”
• 1 Cor. 1:23 – “. . . but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.”

 

That’s what these “stumbling stone” verses say.

2. What Does It Mean?

Maybe everyone except God is too close to the situation to understand what stumbling stone really means. Still, let’s explore.

God says this “stumbling stone” is precious. Simultaneously, He adds the cornerstone will be rejected. Further, He declares this rock will cause people to stumble, fall, and break. Additionally, a trap and a snare.

Interestingly, He also declares “The one who believes in Him [the stone] will never be put to shame.”

Clearly, the stumbling block is Jesus Christ. His humanity wrapped around His claims to also be God creates difficulty. Plus, it mentions the cross – “a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.” 

God did the “heavy lifting” for all mankind by a life of service through Jesus. Additionally, He changed the course of history at the cross, ensuring forgiveness, freedom, and eternal life. In fact, His approach by dying seems anticlimactic. But it worked! He rose up and said, “I’m fine!” And now you can be fine, too.

Actually, the claims of Jesus as a stumbling stone go back to Isaiah, who talks about Jesus, the stumbling stone. The rock that makes people fall – which includes everyone except people who believe on Christ.

Only by faith in Christ’s cross can a person be holy. This faith is foreign and risky to mankind. Yet, faith is the only way to please God. Works and excellent performance doesn’t impress God. Birth rights (born into a certain family, position, or religion) don’t guarantee anything. Only faith in Jesus, the stumbling stone. Remarkably, this Jesus – the stumbling stone – is the stable rock on which to build your life.

As uncomfortable as it is to not have your brain fully wrapped around all this – that’s what those Scriptures mean.

3. Make It Personal – The Stumbling Stone

Perhaps you’ve had times in your life when you stumbled over Christ, the God-man.

• Why doesn’t it make sense?
• How can Scripture be true?
• What if it doesn’t turn out like I was promised?
• Why do I need to be a servant to be great?
• What’s this “living sacrifice” stuff?
• How can humility get me where I need to go in a terribly broken world?

 

Actually, building on the “stumbling stone” is a risk. Remarkably, however, it’s the best risk you’ll every take! Why? Because the guarantee is eternally, unalterably reliable. All secured by Christ.

The Faith Thing

Now, to have a relationship with this amazing, complex God – only by faith – will definitely leave you with unanswered questions. Have you ever wondered about God? Struggled to come to terms with His control? His grace? His seemingly outrageous claims and commands? Is He ever unfair? Can I trust Him? Will He take care of me? What about starving suffering people? And so on.

So, how do you understand and respond to such a Being?

Maybe You Don’t Understand

Maybe you don’t need to understand – and your only good response to God is a leap of faith. Essentially, to believe His claims, to accept His love, to depend on His great strength. And finally, to hang onto promises you’ve already waited years to see fulfilled.

All by faith.

Since you can’t answer the tough questions about God – why not focus on His love and goodness? Then you’ll begin to see Him more clearly. Plus, you’ll know better how to respond by faith in each life situation.

Stumbling Stone

In order to make this material as personal as possible, we need to look at a great question Paul poses in Rom. 9:14.

Question

“What then shall we say? Is God unjust?”  Excellent question! Especially considering Jesus is a stumbling stone. 

Sometimes you can’t move forward in issues until you ask the right questions.

Answer

Paul lays out a simple answer to the above question – “Not at all!” Notice Paul’s confidence in his short answer – NOT AT ALL!

God Uses Paul

Interestingly, God uses Paul to usher in a new era that introduces faith in spite of a stumbling stone. In fact, Paul was given an extremely hard task laying out God’s new and final approach to mankind. Have you thought about this? Jesus brought God’s new and final offer. This is both generous and sobering. And Paul was tasked with making it clear to the world.

Also, Paul was told he would suffer greatly in proclaiming the Gospel of faith in Christ against centuries of Judaism and worldly paganism. Paul said –

1. God deeply loves each individual He created.
2. Jesus carried out God’s extreme plan to bring every person to Himself (the heavy-lifting).
3. Faith in the Stumbling Stone means you never have to be ashamed.

 

God Uses Jesus

The Son of God completely turns history into a line of faith. Creation came from His brilliant mind. Salvation came from His loving, kind heart. God’s Kingdom rests on His strong shoulders. Through Christ, we see –

• Perfect character.
• Daily example of priorities.
• Priestly intervention.
• Deep love.
• Sacrifice.

 

Jesus renders the Law obsolete. The Prophets fulfilled. The Messiah victorious. Perfection in a man is back – in a big way! The God-man conquered all. And He wants to share it.

Side Note: what does obsolete mean?

 

God Uses You

Jesus is able to make any person holy. That includes you. Simply, believe Christ’s work of salvation. Then follow Him. Obey Him. Get to know Him. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.” (Mk. 12:30; Lk. 10:27)

Through Christ, the stumbling stone, you can quite literally “participate in the Divine Nature.” (2 Pet. 1:3-4) What an incredible invitation! An undeserved privilege!

Subsequently, to participate in Christ’s very nature, you must:

• Surrender completely. (living sacrifice)
• Desire God first and most.
• Focus.
• Believe.
• Obey.
• Copy every character of Christ.
• Live each day by faith – even (and especially) in the details.

 

This offer is unprecedented. Remember – Jesus said He would be a stumbling stone. Subsequently, this incredible new and final approach to mankind is real. So, why not run with it?

Don’t trip over the Stone. Instead, build on the Rock. This will give you an invincible stand against the enemy of God. Let your enemy be the only one who trips over Christ.

So many people need this good news. Our world is reeling right now. You can make a difference by planting your life – by faith – fully on the Stumbling Stone. Stay secure in Christ.

4. Make A Commitment – Application Thoughts And Questions

1. Are you trusting God even when you don’t understand?
2. Do you believe He is good?
3. Do you believe Christ enough to accept He’s the safest risk you’ll ever take?
4. Are you claiming every promise and obeying every command of Scripture?
5. What Scriptures are you meditating on currently?
6. When you stumble, do you get up in Christ and say – “I’m still good?”

 

 

* Portions of this content came from our book – It’s Your Move – a devotional book that takes you through Romans and powerfully challenges you to live with perspective and purpose. You can find this book in our bookstore: www.aliveandactivelife.org/store.

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