Q2. Rock, Stone, Foundation

[Krissi]

A few generations ago, most people built their own homes with help from friends and family so images of rock, stone, capstone and cornerstone made sense to them. They had hewn rock with their hands, and later, poured concrete. Today, though most of us don't build our own homes, these metaphors still make sense. Stone, after all, is hard and durable. Buildings of stone last, don't burn, can't be moved, etc. Some of us have watched buildings of wood burn down and, conversely, homes of stone (or concrete) survive hurricanes. Stone, then, seems secure, strong and lasting. 

Jesus as the rock is an image we "feel" just as we feel the strength of a stone building under and around us. It's an attractive image, perhaps because strength and safety, in themselves, attract us. Christians know that Jesus is strong and able to protect them.

Seculars are repelled by everything Christianity stands for. Their repulsion is at a gut-level even though they accuse us of being irrational. Jesus really is a stumbling stone for seculars. Often, it's easier for them to say they're "spiritual" or that they believe in God or a divine power, but they stumble over Jesus. The man-God Jesus actually repulses them because the cross, to them, represents weakness not power.

The verse Pastor Ralph quoted sent chills down my spine -- seculars were "destined" to disobey, that is to disbelieve and mock the truth of Jesus as our rock.

In my own life, the constancy of my faith and devotions and, frankly, the fact that my life has been scraped raw, has made me turn to Christ as my rock, stone and foundation. Without Him, at this point, I'd have nothing. I do believe that God crushes believers, at times, just as He crushed Job, so that we can see our own dependence on Him and trust Him  to be a rock and both our foundation and capstone.

[George L]

Q2. (1 Peter 2:4-8)

1. In what way are these rock images of Christ attractive to our world? People seek tools, powers, and influence to secure and control their life, success, and destiny. Rich denotes that.
2. In what way do they repel people? One human does not have much effect on the strength of rock.
3. Why? People want to be of effect not the effected.
4. In what ways do you see Jesus as a Rock, Stone, and Foundation in your own life? I have had to understand as best I can humility. Living for Christ what the Navy taught me was standard operating procedures. “The wishes of a superior are be interpreted as an order.” Or in this our case the God who knew us as he did Jerimiah Jer 1:3 has a purpose for us to accomplish for him. We best be about it willingly and with great pleasure to be his workmanship, and not our own.