Jesus, the Stumbling Stone of Grace

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Romans 9:30-10:4

 

Romans 9:32-33

Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, ³³ 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.”

(ESV)

 

Life is full of struggles that can become stumbling blocks in our lives. Life brings financial stumbling blocks, health stumbling blocks, stumbling blocks in marriage, and even stumbling blocks in our relationship with God. While Jews and Christians worship the same God, the Jews have a stumbling block, Jesus whom they rejected as their Messiah. The same is also true of Gentiles who reject Jesus as their Savior but there is hope because Jesus overcame despite struggles (John 16:33) through His death burial and resurrection, giving us the gift of eternal life (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23).

 

Romans 9:30-10:4 begins with Paul asking if the Gentiles wo did not pursue righteousness have attained it through faith while the Jews who pursued righteousness through obedience to the Law failed to reach righteousness (Romans 9:30-31). Paul then answers the question by explaining that the Jews failed to achieve righteousness because they attempted to reach it through works of obedience and not through faith (Romans 9:32). However, despite their stumbling over the stumbling block Jesus, Paul still prays and has a desire for the salvation of his fellow Jews (Romans 10:1). Paul acknowledges a zeal for God by his fellow Jews but not according to knowledge. This knowledge is knowledge of the Word of God something they lack even though they diligently study it (Romans 10:2). This lack of knowledge has led to their ignorance regarding the righteousness of God that comes through faith and not one’s works (Romans 10:3). In fulfilling the law through his death as the sinless lamb of God, Jesus has made righteousness available to anyone choosing to believe (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 10:4).

 

The Jews are God’s chosen people, chosen to receive the law but have failed to attain righteousness, believing they can attain it through works of obedience to the Law (Romans 9:32). This belief rejects the words of Isaiah who stated that the righteous acts of humanity are like a filthy rag (Isaiah 64:6). In addition to this word of prophecy, there were the annual sacrifices of a lamb at Passover, indicating that salvation is more than adherence to the Law (Deuteronomy 16:1-2). Paul has a heart’s desire for his fellow Jews to believe in Jesus as their Messiah but understands that this belief is a stumbling stone they must overcome through faith in Jesus as the lamb of God taking away their sins (John 1:29). Salvation is through the grace of God and not our works (Ephesians 2:8-9).

 

Jesus said He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Jesus did not say he was a way but the way. Since we are all sinners (Romans 3:23) and under a death sentence for sin (Romans 6:23a) we find ourselves in a hopeless situation. However, through Jesus we have the free gift of eternal life and have hope but not according to our works but the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23b). To receive this gift, one only has to confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord of his or her life and believe that God raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 10:9-10). If you have never confessed this with your mouth, I invite you to do so by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.