Read 1 Peter 2: 4-8

“Jesus is the rock of my salvation, His banner over me is love” is a song we used to sing at a Christian church camp. Once you sing an uplifting song like that, you never forget it. But I never really thought much about the message – that Jesus is “the rock”.

I grew up listening to “rock music.” I went to concerts and heard rock groups perform. Once I became a Christian, I began to recognize lyrics that honored God and lyrics that did not.

Then I started listening to Petra, a “Christian rock group.” They influenced me in a positive way. I liked the music and the lyrics were admirable and pure. They encouraged me to live my life in an honorable way. John Schmidt was the lead singer of Petra and I still like to listen to him sing. I took my family and some friends to see Petra one time. My friends thought the music was too loud but I loved it and found the words, often based on scripture, to be encouraging and helpful in living in our culture. We started a FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES group at the high school I taught at and based it on the Petra song “REVIVAL: START WITH ME” and Colossians 3:23.

I have learned that Petra is a historical and archaeological city in southern Jordan. Petra is also a rock. Petra is a feminine given name – a feminine form of Peter, which is derived from the Greek word “petros” meaning “stone, rock”.

The rock on which the church is built may be Peter’s inspired confession of faith in Jesus Christ in Matthew 16:16: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus said in verse 18: “…you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.”

The word “rock” is used about twenty-four times in the book of Psalms with reference to God. Here is an example.

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”.  Psalm 18:2 NIV

Dear Lord, let me build every aspect of my life on the rock of Jesus Christ, my salvation. His banner over me is love!

Tom Weckesser

Questions to consider

• What does this name of Jesus mean to you?
• What are some benefits of having Jesus as the “Chief Cornerstone” in your life? What are the consequences of not having Him in that position?