CHRIST THE ROCK

Kenneth Devers

“And all did drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” I Cor. 10:4. All spiritual drink or refreshment comes from Christ. The rock speaks of durability, unchangeableness, strength and refuge. All of these refer to what Christ is and can be to every believer.

He is viewed as the smitten rock in Ex. 17:6, “Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink…” Paul refers to this in I Cor. 10:4. Christ was smitten of God at Calvary, while being made sin for lost mankind. “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” II Cor. 5:21. Out of this Rock (through death) came life everlasting. He not only refreshes but satisfies.

In Num. 20:7-11, Israel was in need of water. The Lord told Moses to speak to the rock and it would give water, but he was so tempted, because of the peoples’ attitude that he lifted up his hand, and with the rod, smote the rock twice. This is a different setting then Ex. 17. The Rock had already been smitten, and this great leader failed to do what was asked of him. This shows leaders can fail, and will, by looking at people and their shortcomings instead of unto the Lord. The rock smitten is a type of Christ dying ONCE for all. “…but now ONCE in the end of the world (age) hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.”
“So Christ was ONCE offered to bear the sins of many…” Heb. 9:26,28. Now all that is necessary to partake of the water is reach out by faith and drink, yea even abundantly. God, by his marvelous grace, over-ruled even in this act of disobedience, by causing the water to come out abundantly. “Grace, wonderful grace, great boundless and free.” Christ’s sacrifice fully satisfied the Father and was sufficient to meet the needs of the whole world. Out of him flows blessing to all mankind.

“For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges (are void of understanding).” Deut. 32:31. Rock, spelled with capital R, is used five times in this chapter. Moses distinguishes this Rock from the heathen’s rock or gods. He reminds his people of the greatness of their ROCK, His perfect acts, their salvation, creator, deliverer and only by faith can He be comprehended. No wonder the heathens were void of understanding. Whatever people depend upon, whether talents, ingenuity or genius minds, abilities, riches, etc., all can fail; but our ROCK, never. It makes a person different to trust Him.

“The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; by God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” Psa. 18:2. David claims the Lord in this verse, as “MY ROCK,” a personal refuge, a safe hiding place from his many enemies, Saul being the chief one. This Rock is our home or abiding place, even as the rocks were for the conies. Prov. 30:26. David “encouraged himself in the Lord” Through faith in his Word, even in times of battles, as well as after. Rock in this verse also means recuperation. After the battles, bruises, wounds, and many hurts, don’t we also find him to be our place of recuperation and comfort, the one who applies the mollifying ointment? We rest in him and prepare for the next battle. All of this is qualifying us for a throne. Satan can’t touch us, as we take refuge in the Rock.

“Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake then to pieces.” Dan. 2:34. (Read vs. 44-45). This stone is Christ as Lord of lords and King of kings, who will crush the gentile nations as they stand in defiance of Him, at the close of the seven years tribulation. The greatness of the nations are “…counted to Him less then nothing, and vanity.” Isa. 40:15,17. They’re no match for him; for the fulness of his conquering power will be manifested as recorded in Rev. 19:11-16.

“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Mt. 16:18. Here Christ declares himself to be a foundation rock for His church. He is called the chief corner stone in Eph. 2:20. Paul instructs the church how to build upon this foundation in I Cor. 3. The song says, “I hold not the rock but the rock holds me.” What a firm foundation, “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” – Hallelujah!

The same quality found in this Rock is reproduced in His saints also. “My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.” Psa. 57:7. Fixed means–that which is set, permanent, established, unchanging, to remain, and one dedicated to a cause. Doesn’t this sound like a rock? Have you ever heard the expression, “they’re sure set in their ways?” Let this be our attitude toward the cause of Christ and the Word of His wonderful grace. This characteristic of Christ is found in dedicated saints. I am not, and will not be changed in attitude toward Him but desire to be consecrated to and for His cause, to hold forth the word of truth faithfully. Thank the Lord for faithful saints, who maintain and unchanging purpose of heart toward our ROCK.