{"id":56173,"date":"2019-04-30T23:17:45","date_gmt":"2019-04-30T20:17:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=56173"},"modified":"2025-09-23T13:23:37","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T10:23:37","slug":"the-stone-of-stumbling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2019\/04\/30\/the-stone-of-stumbling\/","title":{"rendered":"THE STONE OF STUMBLING"},"content":{"rendered":"

(Mark 6:1\u20133, 1 Peter 2:6\u20138, Psalm 119:9)<\/em><\/h3>\n

Mark 6:1\u20133 (ESV)<\/strong><\/p>\n

“He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him.
\nAnd on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying,
\n‘Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands?
\nIs not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?’
\nAnd they took offense at him.<\/strong>“<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n

Have You Ever Tripped Over a Small Stone?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Shalom, dear child of God! Today, by the grace of God, we will reflect on a profound biblical theme: The Stone of Stumbling<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Have you ever been walking down the road and unexpectedly tripped over a small stone? You might have even gotten injured, broken a sandal, or damaged your shoe simply because of a tiny, overlooked stone.<\/p>\n

This physical stumbling has a spiritual parallel. Just as a small stone can make someone fall, so too in the spiritual journey of life, there are things or rather, a Person <\/strong>over whom many stumble.<\/p>\n

\n

1. A Stone in Our Path<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In 1 Peter 2:6\u20138<\/strong>, the Apostle Peter draws directly from Old Testament prophecy to describe Jesus Christ as both a cornerstone<\/strong> and a stone of stumbling<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

“For it stands in Scripture:
\n‘Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.’ <\/em>So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,<\/em>
\n‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,’ <\/em>and <\/em>‘A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.’ <\/em>They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.”<\/em> 1 Peter 2:6\u20138, ESV<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This Stone is none other than Jesus Christ<\/strong>. To those who believe, He is precious. But to those who reject Him, He becomes an obstacle a stone that causes them to fall.<\/p>\n

\n

2. Jesus, the Rejected Cornerstone<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When Jesus returned to His hometown of Nazareth, the people were offended by Him<\/strong>. They could not reconcile His divine authority with their familiarity with His humanity.<\/p>\n

They said:<\/p>\n

“Isn\u2019t this the carpenter? The son of Mary? The brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon?”<\/em>(Mark 6:3)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Because they thought they knew Him too well, they underestimated Him<\/strong>, and they rejected Him<\/strong>. They saw Him as a mere villager, not as the long awaited Messiah or the Son of God. And so, as Scripture says,<\/p>\n

“They took offense at Him.”<\/em><\/p>\n

This is what it means to stumble <\/strong>to encounter the truth of Christ, but to trip over it because of pride, doubt, or familiarity.<\/p>\n

\n

3. The Spiritual Stumbling That Destroys<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Just like physical stumbling causes injuries, spiritual stumbling can lead to eternal consequences<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

No one stumbles while standing still it happens while walking<\/strong>, while moving forward. Similarly, all of us are on a journey through life. We are born, we grow, and one day, we will die. Life is a path. And God has placed a Stone in the path<\/strong> of every person Jesus Christ<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Some will see Him, believe in Him, and be saved. Others will ignore or despise Him and stumble.<\/p>\n

“He is a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.”<\/em> \u00a01 Peter 2:8<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Many stumble over Jesus because they reject His Word. They do not believe, and thus they fall.<\/p>\n

\n

4. This Stone Is Small in the Eyes of Men, but Chosen by God<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In the eyes of the world, Jesus seems ordinary even weak. He was born in a manger. He lived in a humble family. He worked as a carpenter. He had no earthly wealth or fame.<\/p>\n

But to God, He is the Chosen and Precious Cornerstone<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious.”<\/em> \u00a01 Peter 2:6<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Even today, many people reject the gospel because it seems foolish or too simple. They trip over the humility of Christ, just like the people of Nazareth did. But Jesus warned us: everyone must encounter this Stone.<\/strong> Whether you accept Him or not you will meet Him.<\/p>\n

If you reject Him now, you may find that your life ends suddenly, without warning, and you\u2019ll stand before God unprepared.<\/p>\n

\n

5. Have You Encountered This Stone?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Friend, if you are reading this and you have not yet surrendered your life to Jesus Christ, consider this a divine invitation. The gospel will find you eventually it always does.<\/p>\n

But how will you respond?<\/p>\n

Will you receive Christ as Lord, or will He be a stone of stumbling<\/strong> to you?<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t let Jesus be the obstacle that causes your eternal fall.<\/p>\n

\n

6. Prepare Your Path by Obeying His Word<\/strong><\/h2>\n

God has made a way for us to walk safely: by faith in Jesus and obedience to His Word.<\/p>\n

“How can a young man keep his way pure?
\nBy guarding it according to your word.”<\/em> \u00a0Psalm 119:9, ESV<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Don\u2019t walk through life only looking ahead at your goals look at your steps<\/strong>. Be mindful of the spiritual path you’re on. Cleanse your way by submitting to God’s Word.<\/p>\n

Jesus is calling you today:
\n\u201c<\/strong>My child, come!\u201d
\nDon\u2019t harden your heart. Repent, believe the gospel, and be baptized in His name for the forgiveness of your sins (Acts 2:38).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n

Don’t Trip Over the Savior<\/strong><\/h2>\n

This Stone Jesus Christ is placed in your path not to destroy you, but to build you<\/strong>. If you believe in Him, you will not be put to shame (1 Peter 2:6). But if you reject Him, you will fall.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t stumble.
\nDon\u2019t delay.
\nGive your life to Christ today.<\/p>\n

“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.\u201d<\/em> Psalm 118:22 (ESV)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cEveryone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.\u201d<\/em> Luke 20:18 (ESV)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

May the Lord bless you and lead you in the way of life.<\/strong><\/p>\n