A DIVINE OXYMORON
By Barri Cae Mallin
And
coming to Him as to a Living Stone which has been rejected by
men, but is choice and precious
in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built
up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up
spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
~ 1 Peter 2:4-5~
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Having grown
up in flat Kansas, I love the Western United States. The scenic vistas are
indescribably beautiful. There is a rock structure in Wyoming called Devils
Tower. Legend has it that some young girls or boys (the stories vary) were
being pursued by a bear. When all looked hopeless, a rock appeared and they
were able to climb up, just out of reach of the angry bear. The bear was
unable to reach the children. The tower is called Devils Tower.
Isn't that just like the world? Always climbing up, thinking that they are
escaping enemies, and yet, there they sit on the Devils Tower. The world is
never going to bring safety or joy. If we run to structures, things, events
or people that we think will bring us happiness, success or safety, we could
actually be climbing up Devils Tower. All of us are going to have to fight
bears, tigers and lions in this world. The reality is that this world is
full of tribulation We are called to suffer, to fill up that which is
lacking in Messiah's body. However, we have the True Rock of Ages, the true
Ebenezer (Stone of strength). Yeshua is the “Even Khy-eem” the Living Stone.
I have a lot of pretty stones in a jewelry box, yet none are as lovely as
Yeshua Jesus is. All other stones are amulets. Our Yeshua Jesus is the
living stone, the Even Khyeem. Living stone? What does this mean?
Webster’s Dictionary defines the word, oxymoron, as a combination of words
that have opposite or very different meanings. “Living stone” is an example
of an oxymoron. Although a stone might change appearance by erosion, there
is no life in a stone. The stones in my jewelry box do not have a heartbeat;
they are dead; pretty – but dead. Yet, Peter, Kefa, tells us that Yeshua
Jesus is a Living Stone, the Even Khyeem. Jesus is alive; He is our
foundation, we can trust Him, He is our Rock of Refuge, Rock of the Ages
past – present – future, we can run to this Rock and find safety.
Unlike other dead stones, Yeshua Jesus is the alive Stone. Only God in His
divine sovereign wisdom could think this one up. As if this were not
profound enough, we as believers are called living stones, too! God is using
each of us, building a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to be used for
His glory. Paul exhorts in Romans 12:1 Therefore I
urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living
and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of
worship.
When we say ‘yes’ to Yeshua Jesus, when we follow Him in our love walk, we
offer up ourselves to Him. This is our spiritual worship, adoring Him,
loving Him, loving others, serving others, serving Him. By rubbing up next
to other stones, allowing the friction of our closeness to wear down our
edginess, we become polished stones, fit for the Master’s use.
The foundation stones of the city wall
were adorned with every kind of precious stone.
The
first foundation stone was
jasper;
The second,
sapphire;
The third,
chalcedony;
The fourth,
emerald;
The fifth, sardonyx;
The sixth,
sardis;
The seventh,
chrysalides;
The eighth,
beryl;
The ninth,
topaz;
The tenth,
chrysoprase;
The eleventh,
jacinth;
The twelfth,
amethyst. |
And the twelve gates were twelve pearls;
each one of the gates was a single pearl. And the street of the city was
pure gold, like transparent glass, I saw no Temple in it, for the LORD God
the Almighty, and the Lamb are its temple.
~ Revelation 21:19-22 ~ |
Barri Cae Mallin holds a PhD
in Biblical Studies from
Trinity Theological Seminary. Other
devotionals by
Barri Cae may be found at www.barricae.com.
To receive them by email, inquire
at Barricae @ comcast . net.
Just remove the
spaces.
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