It is interesting how certain phrases are used in the Bible. The word "Rock" is used in a figurative sense for God. Let’s look at a few of these verses and glean a little understanding of one of the names of God: "Then Moses spoke in the hearing of all the assembly of Israel the words of this song until they were ended" (Deuteronomy 31:30..... {3} For I proclaim the name of the LORD: Ascribe greatness to our God. {4} He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He" (Deuteronomy 32:3-4).

This figurative use of the word "Rock" for God is used many times in the Psalms: "The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold" (Psalms 18:2). "For who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God?" (Psalms 18:31). "The LORD lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let the God of my salvation be exalted" (Psalms 18:46).

Now let’s ask a question: Who was this Rock of the Old Testament? The Apostle Paul answers the question in his book to the Corinthian Church: "Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, {2} all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, {3} all ate the same spiritual food, {4} "and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ" (1 Corinthians 10:1-4). Jesus was the Rock who led the Israelites in their wilderness wanderings. He was the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21).

The New Testament Church was founded upon Jesus, who figuratively was the Rock: "Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. {18} "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:17-18).

The best foundation for a building to be built upon is solid rock. "For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:11). Jesus is the Rock and He is the foundation of the Church. The Apostle Paul reveals to us what the foundation of the New Testament Church is built upon: the prophets of the Old Testament, the apostles of the New Testament and Christ the Chief Cornerstone: "Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, {20} having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone" (Ephesians 2:19-20).

To the Jews at the time when Jesus walked the earth, He was a stumbling block to them. He was the stone that was rejected: "but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness" (1 Corinthians 1:23). This was even prophesied in the Old Testament: "The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone (Psalms 118:22.)"

To Israel at Christ’s second coming, He will be the Capstone or the Head Stone of the corner: "Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone With shouts of "Grace, grace to it!" (Zechariah 4:7).

To the Gentile world, Christ is the Rock, the Stone that was cut out without hands: "You watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces" (Dan 2:34). In prophecy, Jesus Christ will return as a conquering king and will crush all world governments and establish the kingdom of God and He will rule for one thousand years as King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16, 20:6).

To unbelievers, Jesus Christ, the Rock will be the crushing Stone of judgment: "Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: 'The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord's doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes'? {43} "Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. {44} "And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder"" (Matthew 21:42-44).

Now let’s notice what the Apostle Peter has to say about Jesus being the chosen Rock, the living Stone: "Coming to Him (Jesus) as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, {5} you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. {6} Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame"" (1 Peter 2:4-6).

Did you notice what verse 5 says? We, the Saints, the Church, are to be "living stones" just like Jesus is.

Jesus is living, He is the living Word of God, and He is actively engaged in the lives of His people, the Elect, the Chosen of God. We are Living Stones in which Jesus lives. We are the Living Stones in which God is building His Church on the foundation of the Living Stone Jesus Christ.

Jesus is our Rock.