In the US, especially in the South, we have been living in a Christian bubble. A bubble that is out of step with what has been experienced by the vast majority of Christians, throughout the vast majority of church history.
In this country, Christians have enjoyed for the most part a very favorable standing in the culture at large. We have been influential. Christian ideas, terminology, holidays, calendar have been the standard. In fact, at one time being known as a Christian gentleman or a Christian lady was synonymous with being a good and upstanding citizen.
But all this is changing. Perhaps slower here in the south but it is changing.
Christianity used to be rejected because it was seen as unscientific, unintellectual. We were mocked, perhaps pitied, but seen as relatively harmless. But now we are not only despised we are seen as evil, hated, feared. Often equated with jihadists!
But don’t panic. Don’t despair. God is not taken by surprise. God’s word can be trusted. God’s word not only foretells that this will happen - but it also tells us why. It tells us the reason. This is what we see in today’s passage.
What we see in this passage, Is the issue is not sexuality, homosexulaituy, abortion, or any of this. This is just the CURRENT form of the attack. This is just the current face of a centuries old conflict.
The real issue as described in this passage has to do with this “Living Stone.” The Stone rejected by men. This stone is the Lord Jesus Christ. The central question is what do we do with this stone? What do we do with Jesus? |
