Thursday, March 12, 2009
Exodus 17:6 Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.
1 Corinthians 10:4 For they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.
PORTRAITS OF HIS PASSION: WATER FROM THE ROCK
Whenever I spend lots of time at a museum or some other tourist sight, there comes a point where my feet get tired. After several hours of walking and looking, I need to stop, rest, and grab something to drink.
Walking through the gallery of the Old Testament portraits of Christ, however, doesn't wear the believer out. Rather, it refreshes his soul and adds new energy to his faith. For the Portraits of His Passion are pure, life-giving Gospel.
Today's portrait is no different. Just look! Water, cool and fresh, gushing out of a rock. What a hot and dusty road through the wilderness it was for ancient Israel. What a grumbling people we see once again! What a loving LORD Who answers His people's needs even though they in no way deserve it!
There's nothing like a drink of cold water on a hot day! There's nothing like Christ for a sin-parched soul. He is the Rock that was struck with the fury of God's anger toward human sin. He was smitten, stricken, and afflicted in order to pay for all sin, yours and mine included. He is the Rock from which gushes streams of living water.
What guilt is making you feel dried out and spiritually sapped? What trouble is making you feel like you just can't go on? What temptation is too much for your strength to overcome? Whatever it may be, today's portrait is just what you need. Behold, Jesus the Rock! He once suffered for you so you can drink deeply of His grace in Word and Sacrament. Go ahead! Drink "from the spiritual rock" Who accompanies you today and always. That Rock is Christ! He gives water that springs up into everlasting life! How absolutely refreshing!
