Speak to the rock!

What is Christ to you? The Bible mentions Christ being many things. First Corinthians, in particular, portrays many rich aspects of Christ. He is power and wisdom (1:24). He is our real Passover (5:7) He is our spiritual food (5:8, 10:3). Christ is everything.

Let’s consider one very particular and unique aspect of Christ from 1 Corinthians. First Corinthians 10:4 says, And all drank the same spiritual drink, for they drank of a spiritual rock which followed them, and the rock was Christ. Well, that’s pretty clear: the rock was Christ. Christ is our rock.

A rock is something strong and durable. If we think of Christ as our rock, we may consider Christ as our strength and endurance. This is absolutely true. But the particular emphasis in 1 Corinthians 10:4 is not these attributes of Christ.

What then does Christ as our rock signify? This rock has water flowing out of it! In 1 Corinthians 10, the Apostle Paul is referring to Exodus 17:1-7. As Moses was leading the thirsty children of Israel in the wilderness, God commanded Moses to strike the rock, and water will come out of it so that the people may drink (17:6). Again in Numbers 20:8, this rock supplied the children of Israel with water, except in this case, God told Moses to speak to the rock.

Because of Paul’s exposition in 1 Corinthians 10:4, we realize that the account in the Old Testament is a type. The reality is Christ. Christ is our real rock that quenches our thirst.

Have you enjoyed Christ as your rock? This might be hard to answer if we don’t see the profound significance of Christ as our rock.

As our rock, Christ was struck on the cross. On the cross, blood and water flowed out of His side (John 19:34): blood for redemption and water for the imparting of life. Before He died, the Lord Himself said, He who believes into Me, as the Scripture said, out of His innermost being shall flow rivers of living water. But this He said concerning the Spirit… This water, therefore, is the Spirit.

In 1 Corinthians 12:13, we were all given to drink one Spirit.  The Lord Jesus is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:17). In resurrection, He became the life-giving Spirit (1 Corinthians 15:45) so that He could enter into our spirit (Romans 8:9-10, 16; John 4:24; 2 Timothy 4:22). As the Spirit, Christ is so available, and He can live inside of us. As the Spirit, we can drink Him as our living water. 

Today, we can enjoy and experience Christ as our rock flowing with living water. In order to get this water, there is no need for the rock to be struck again. Christ has already been crucified for us. He has cleansed us with His blood and filled us with Himself as living water (John 19:34). As indicated in Numbers 20:8, we simply need to speak to the rock in order to access this water. This is as simple as having a conversation with the Lord.

Are you thirsty? Tell the rock, Lord, I’m thirsty. Are you discouraged? Tell the rock, Lord, I’m discouraged. Do you need encouragement? Speak to the rock, Lord, encourage me. Cheer me up. Are you stressed out and full of anxiety? Lord, I trust in You. Be my peace. When we speak to the rock, we get Christ as living water.

Have you spoken to the rock today?