ROMANS 9:33

“just as it is written: ‘BEHOLD, I AM LAYING IN ZION A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE, AND THE ONE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME.’”

Have you ever watched the reality show Alone? Participants are put out into wilderness environments with only limited articles which they are allowed to take with them. Those who are experienced in those kind of settings will usually take things to make snare traps to catch rabbits or other animals. Snares work in a variety of ways, but many rely on a stick or rock which moves to trigger the trap. They are not always successful, but when they are, these participants have much needed food.

Paul uses a Greek word in today’s verse which has that same picture. The word translated as “offense” is skandalon. It “is the native rock rising up through the earth, which trips up the traveler, hence, of Jesus the Messiah, to the Jews who refused him” (Souter); “properly, the bait-stick of a trap, a snare, stumbling-block” (Abbott-Smith); “the stick in the trap that springs and closes the trap when the animal touches it” (HELPS Word-studies) What or who is Paul talking about? As mentioned yesterday in verse 32, Jesus is that stumbling stone or rock of offense.

APPLICATION

Isaiah 8:14 and 28:16 both refer to the same “rock of offense. We read in 8:14, “Then He will become a sanctuary; But to both houses of Israel, He will be a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, And a snare and a trap for the inhabitants of Jerusalem.” You are probably more familiar with 28:16 which reads, “Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion, a tested stone, A precious cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. The one who believes in it will not be disturbed.”

Jesus, plainly put, really stumped the Jewish religious crowd. For one they couldn’t understand why God would extend any kind of salvation and righteousness to the Gentiles. After all, they were not a part of Israel and therefore were not God’s chosen people. Secondly, this salvation through Jesus was just too easy. All it required was faith. They didn’t have to DO anything to gain it.

The cross of Christ still trips people up. It is still the skandalon for many. What can we do about that? Well, we can tell them our story of redemption through that cross. We can tell them how Jesus has changed our life. We can show them how to approach the cross and receive forgiveness. Most traps are meant to be avoided. But the “trap” of the cross is a gentle one. It does not harm. It does not take life. Quite the contrary. It gives life. It embraces you. Share that with those who fear it. Share that with those who seem to walk around it. It will change their life.

O, loving Father, I give You praise that I fell into the “trap” of the cross so many years ago where You have kept me safe.

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