How is Jesus a rock of offense (Romans 9:33; 1 Peter 2:8)?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Quoting Old Testament Messianic prophecy (Isaiah 8:1415), Paul and Peter refer to Jesus as a “rock of offense” and “stone of stumbling” (Romans 9:33;1 Peter 2:8). everal other scriptures describe Jesus as the “ornerstone” (Psalm 118:22; Isaiah 28:16; Zechariah 10:4; Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11; Ephesians 2:20). How does the Bible reconcile these two descriptions of Jesus? Scripture shows Jesus is both, depending on how He is received. The Bible teaches that those who accept Jesus as the “ornerstone” recognize Him as the foundation of the Church, salvation, redemption, and eternal life (1 Peter 2:6; John 11:25). Scripture also shows, by contrast, that Jesus became a “rock of offense” to those who rejected Him, as some Jewish religious leaders of His day did (1 Peter 2:7; John 5:18). Gospel accounts present the scribes’ and Pharisees’ belief that they would be reconciled to God through good works and adherence to the Law rather than through faith in Jesus (John 5:3940). Because of their rejection of the Messiah who fulfilled the Law, these scribes and Pharisees stumbled over the “stone” rather than placing their faith in Him. Peter's first letter shows the fulfillment of both components of the Isaiah 8 prophecy—Jesus is a sanctuary and a stone rock of offense (Isaiah 28:16; 1 Peter 2:6). Believers who have Jesus as the cornerstone of their life will not stumble.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• In Psalm 18:2, David identifies the Lord as the foundation on which our faith rests: “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” To those who believe, God is the rock of salvation, not of offense.
• Isaiah 8:14, which is later quoted by Paul and Peter, is God’s prophecy about Israel and Judah rejecting the Messiah: “And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.” Isaiah prophesied that many in the nation of Israel would reject Jesus. Jesus becme a stumbling block to those who deny Him.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Romans 9:33 comes after a chapter in which Paul explains why the Jews who rejected Jesus wouldn’t be saved. Paul quotes the prophet Isaiah: “as it is written, ‘Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.’” Many Jews of Jesus’s day, including religious leaders, did not believe in Jesus because they wanted to justify themselves with works of the Law rather than through faith in Him to whom the Law pointed.
• Peter also quotes Isaiah in 1 Peter 2:78: “So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,’ and ‘A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.’ They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.” Those who reject Jesus do not follow His ways, which leads to not being justified before God.
• In Luke 20:1718, after presenting the Parable of the Wicked Tenant, Jesus says this to the Pharisees: “But he looked directly at them and said, ‘What then is this that is written: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone? Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.’” Jesus was pointing out that the teachers of the Law were rejecting the very Messiah that cripture reveal. They would be crushed by their attempts to justify themselves by the Law.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

“You do you”; “Live your truth”; “To each his own”—Most of us have heard at least one of these. They reflect the moral relativism of today’s society. This philosophy clashes with Christianity because it depends on subjective feelings rather than objective truth. Many people believe that just being a “good person” is enough to achieve whatever idea of the afterlife they may imagine. But Jesus Himself testified He is the only way (John 14:6). To those who reject that one ay to salvation, Jesus becomes a rock of offense. This is because those who deny Jesus as Lord often want to live “their truth,” not follow the Truth. They desire to be their own gods, not to worship the true God. Accepting Christ requires that we admit our own failings, rely on His grace, and live differently as a result. Recognizing our sin leads us toward the only One in whom we can seek forgiveness: Jesus. Believers who have Jesus as the cornerstone of their life will not stumble.

UNDERSTAND

• Jesus is either a foundation (ornerstone) for those who believe or a stumbling block (rock of offense) for those who reject Him.
• Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecy by becoming a "rock of offense" for those who resist God’s plan of salvation.
• Jesus is a rock of offense for those who try to become right with God by their own works instead of trusting in Him.

REFLECT

• Have you ever found any of Jesus' teachings challenging or uncomfortable, and if so, how did you respond?
• In what areas of your life might you be relying more on your own efforts than on faith in Jesus as your cornerstone?
• How can you build your life on the foundation of Christ rather than seeing Him as an obstacle to your personal goals or desires?

ENGAGE

• Why do some people view Jesus as a “rock of offense,” and how can we compassionately reach them?
• How can we help each other build our lives on Jesus as the cornerstone of our lives, especially in areas where we might struggle to fully trust Him?
• How do we see society’s emphasis on “living your truth” challenging the message of Jesus as the only firm foundation and way to God?