Rocks and stones

Rocks and stones have been important to this congregation from its inception. As many of you know, the group of Lutheran farmers who settled here arrived from “Ebenezer” in South Australia. As we heard in the Old Testament reading, “Ebenezer” is the name of a place between Mizpah and Shen where Samuel setup a stone monument to the LORD, to honour and remember his help and support. “Ebenezer” means “stone of help” for “thus far has the LORD helped us.” The original settlers wanted to name this place “Ebenezer,” after their home, but the postal authority said there was already an “Ebenezer” in NSW. They had to choose another name. They settled on a name from the indigenous language of the Wiradjuri people: “Walla Walla,” believed to mean “rock rock” (“place of many rocks”, or “place of strength”).

So this last week I’ve been thinking about rocks and stones. You might say I’ve had rocks on the brain. Not rocks for brains, but rocks on the brain! What does a rock represent? Rocks give us two contrasting word pictures: (1) stumbling on rocky ground; (2) support, help, strength, firm foundation. We hear both of these word pictures in our readings.

Gospel reading (Simon Peter)

In our gospel reading we hear about Simon. Way back in Luke chapter 6, Jesus gave Simon the nickname “Peter” or “Petros” meaning “Rock.” Now, did the Lord give Simon the name “Peter” because he would stumble along rocky ground, or because God would use Peter as the firm foundation for building his church here on earth? The good Lutheran answer is of course “yes, both.”

(1) Stumbling. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that soon after Jesus gives Simon the nickname “Rock” that he tells a parable about a farmer sowing seed, which is the word of God (Luke 8:4–15). Some seed fell on the path, but birds (the devil) snatch it away. Then some fell on rocky ground. Some fell on “Peter” ground. What happened to the seed? It’s too shallow, and the word doesn’t take root. So it’s no wonder that during the Last Supper, Jesus predicts Peter’s denial, his rocky shallowness:

[Jesus said:] “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” But [Simon] replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.” (Luke 22:31–34)

After Jesus is arrested in the garden, Peter follows to the courtyard of the High Priest, full of bravado, intending to follow Jesus to prison and death. And yet, true to his name, he stumbles. He disowns Jesus three times. “I don’t know him. I’m not his follower. I’m not from Galilee.” As one commentator said, ‘Peter the rock crumbles into rubble.’

(2) Supporting. The other side is that rocks are a source of support, a source of strength. Straight after Peter denies Jesus, the rooster crowed and ‘the Lord turned and looked straight at Peter’ (Luke 22:61). I don’t think this is a “I told you so” look. This is a look of compassion. A supporting look. It’s as if Jesus is saying with his eyes, “Peter, in the midst of everything, I know what you’re going through. I’m here for you. I’m your foundation and support. I am your rock.”  And what happens? The death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus transforms stumbling Peter into the firm foundation of God’s church on earth. In Luke’s second volume, the Acts of the Apostles, we find Peter the Rock leading the church, boldly confessing his faith to the High Priest, imprisoned, and as tradition has it, following Jesus unto death.

New Testament reading (Jesus)

We also see the same two sides to rocks regarding Jesus in our New Testament reading.

(1) Stumbling. We hear a quote from Isaiah chapter 8: Jesus is ‘a stone that causes people to stumble, and a rock that makes them fall.’ Have you ever stubbed your toe on a rock? It hurts when you stumble and trip! Jesus is that rock. He’s a stumbling block. I mean think about it: God stooped low and came to earth as a human being. He didn’t disguise himself, but became fully human. And if that’s not bizarre enough, God allowed himself to be crucified on a cross! That doesn’t make any sense to our human minds. It can be a stumbling block. A God who dies?! That’s an offence or scandal. St Paul calls it “foolishness.” Perhaps you’ve experienced this yourself at some point in your faith journey, or you know a family member or friend who stumbles over the claim that the man Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God who died. It takes faith to confess Christ crucified.

(2) Supporting. Yet at the same time as being a stumbling block, we hear that Jesus is ‘a chosen and precious cornerstone.’ He is a firm foundation and a strong support. In the world of the Old and New Testaments, the way they built buildings was different. Instead of pouring a concrete slab, they built a foundation from stone, a strong support from rock. The first stone, the most important rock, was the cornerstone. It would set the orientation of the building. The other foundation stones would be laid square with the cornerstone. Jesus Christ is the cornerstone, and the Apostles the rest of the foundation stones, a strong support on which God builds you, his church.

Our own journey (us)

Finally, we see the same two sides to rocks with own journey.

(1) Stumbling. At these auspicious events we tend not to talk about our stumbling, but instead focus on our success and glory. But the reality is that this 150 year journey that we celebrate today has had its rocky times. Divisions, family breakdowns, exclusion, hurt, failed projects and plans turned to rubble. Like Peter we have stumbled. We have made others stumble. So let us like Peter weep bitterly in repentance.

(2) Supporting. Yet in the midst of our stumbling, Jesus turns to look at us. We receive the mercy of his look. He is our firm foundation, our cornerstone. God has laid the Apostles beside Jesus, and then our forebears on top of them. And now he continues building his spiritual house. In your baptism he shows you his mercy, making you his people, incorporating you into the church. In baptism you are made a living stone. I find it fascinating that the baptism font here at Zion is made from stone, from rock. I’m curious: who here today was baptised at this particular font? Whether at this font, or another one, God is building his house through you, his baptised people, as he lays you on top of Christ the cornerstone, the Apostles as foundation stones, and our forebears, the saints before us. Even in the midst of all our stumbling, the people of God gathered around water and bread and wine is the only true “rock rock” on this earth, the only place of support and strength.

We are a work in progress. I wonder what God’s house will look like when he’s finished? What does God have in store for the living stones being laid here in Zion? What will God’s house look like in 10, 50, 150 years time? No doubt there are rocky moments ahead. You will stumble and trip. But Jesus knows what his disciples are going through. Through his death, resurrection, and ascension Jesus is looking upon you, he’s present with you, a stone of help, your “Ebenezer.”

May Christ pick you up when you stumble along the rocky way. May he be your firm foundation supporting and helping you. May you continue to confess Christ crucified — a stumbling block. And may you in turn be strong support those in need in this community and beyond.

“For thus far has the Lord helped us.” Amen.