Jesus a Stone of Stumbling 1 Peter 2:8

Peter the apostle told the “scattered” Christians that those “which believe” Jesus “is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner”, and in chapter two and verse eight, Peter continued with his thought as he calls Jesus, “a stone of stumbling” where we read:

And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

The verse begins, “And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient:” Peter began with the phrase, “And a stone” or “small building stone” “of stumbling” which means “stumbling-block or obstacle in the way which if one strikes his foot against he stumbles or falls”, “and a rock” or “crag, cliff or ledge” “of offense” which is the Greek word “skandalon” and means “a movable stick or trigger of a trap; any impediment place in the way and causing one to stumble or fall”, “even to them which” or “who or that” “stumble” or “strike against, rush upon, beat against or induced by sin” “at the word” which refers to “a speech, utterance, decree, mandate or order”, “being disobedient” or “refused, withhold belief and obedience or not allowing one's self to be persuaded”. When Jesus came to the earth, he “stumbled” through His word those who “refused, rejected and were not allowing themselves to be accepted”.

The verse continues, “whereunto also they were appointed.” Peter goes on to write, “whereunto” which means “into, unto, to, towards, for and among” “also” or “even, indeed, and” “they were appointed” which means “set, put, placed, laid down, fixed and established”. The Lord “appointed” and established those who would not believe and trust in Him to be “stumbled” or tripped up by His appearance.

When we think through these words of Peter, we discover how the Lord desired for Jesus to either be accepted as Savior and Lord or to “stumble” those who did not believe in Him. We should align ourselves with God the Father's “set” “cornerstone”, and when we understand who He really is, we will be obedient to our Heavenly Father's plan.

Next time Peter shares about a “chosen generation”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.