During a leaders’ gathering, my friend Chad watched intensely as his daughter, Hannah, climbed up a rock wall. Hannah was making progress, until she began slipping a bit. Chad called out to her, “Put your feet on the rock!” He wanted his daughter to understand that she could find stability on the hard stone that was near her. Isaiah had the same idea in mind when prophesying about the coming Messiah in Isaiah 28.
The prophet gave us a beautiful picture of the coming Messiah. He described Him as the rock on which God’s people should place their feet (Isaiah 28:16). According to Isaiah, in what ways is Jesus like a rock? Check these out:
• The stone was tested. As a foundation stone, it had been carefully inspected to determine its strength. What’s more, this “cornerstone” was prepared by the master mason to be placed at the start of the building process—determining the course of the entire structure (Psalm 118:22; Mark 12:10). The Messiah would be the perfect One—the perfect fit—for God’s plan of salvation (Mark 12:6), and a proven foundation for those who believe in Him.
• The stone was Jesus Christ, the Messiah. He lived a perfect life; and He was crucified, buried, and raised again from the dead. All who put their faith in Him will not be disappointed because He alone can save and provide a firm foundation in life. Faith in Him is what makes the difference during unstable and difficult times. He’s been tested and proven for strength, and His strength can handle the weight of our sin, broken relationships, negative and ungodly habits, and spiritually sick souls.
Let’s stand on the Rock—Jesus Christ.
More:
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16).
Next:
Isaiah 28:14-22
This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on” (v.16).
R R Kelkar on June 27, 2010 at 7:33 pm
Rock of ages, cleft for me, I shall hide myself in thee…How true indeed!
elhedding on June 27, 2010 at 11:15 pm
I needed to hear that. I need to rest in the fact that when I can’t get it all done, it is not all up to me but I can always rely on Jesus. He is there as a rock for stability and protection from all of lives storms. Thank God that we have someone beyond ourselves who can be the ONLY one we can depend on in this life and in eternity.