And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

1 Peter 2:8

Yes Jesus is our Savior…but He can also be a stumbling block.

The word, simply enough, refers to an object you trip over. It’s just like it sounds: a stumbling…block. In a metaphorical sense it typically refers to people who cause you to spiritually stumble and err against God.

So how can Jesus be a stumbling block? Peter says people stumble by being disobedient to His word. As compassionate and merciful as Jesus is, the one thing He is not is compromising. God’s Word is Law and it is unbreakable and unbendable. If He says it, that settles it.

Once He has given a command we can not change it or ignore it. Either will obey it and be blessed or we will disobey it and be condemned. In that sense Jesus becomes the reason people go to Hell: He gave them the means to escape and they chose to disregard it. He offered them the one and only lifeline, the very narrow way out of death and they wanted to compromise. When Jesus refused, they were condemned.

He doesn’t have to be a stumbling block. He can be the door you enter to enjoy life eternal. The choice is yours!