Reformation Lutheran Church A Congregation of the ELCA

Monday, March 16
Read 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

… and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. (v 4)

ONE ROCK, DIFFERENT STORIES

Rocks have always been important to me. As a child, I collected rocks and spent countless hours reading about rocks and fossils. Although I did not end up pursuing this interest as a vocation, I spend much of my leisure time working with paleontologists who develop our understanding of the history of life on earth by studying rocks and fossils.

When scientists study rocks, each uses a different skill set to learn different things from the same rocks. One may look at the structure of the rocks to determine where an ancient river ran. Another may use the rate of decay of elements in the rock to determine how old it is. And yet another may use the mix of different isotopes in a fossil to understand the animal’s habitat.

Each Christian shares the same rock that is Christ. But it’s up to each of us to develop our faith with our own understanding of what this rock teaches us. Christ the rock has many properties, and each of us will choose to emphasize different aspects. Though the rock is the same, each understands it differently.

Some Christians focus on God’s choice to send this rock, his only Son, to save us. Others focus on understanding Christ’s life as a model for how we ought to live our own and how we ought to love others. Some concentrate on studying and reflecting upon Christ’s ministry and teachings. As Easter approaches, we will give our thanks for Christ’s redemptive sacrifice on the cross and his resurrection and celebrate it.

I’m thankful we’re free to develop our own different understandings of the rock that is Christ, and I celebrate the diversity of Christian faith. I think we all have a responsibility to develop our own understanding of our Christian faith, while respecting that of others.

As we each develop our faith, we are able to benefit from others who have different sets of talents. And we have a responsibility to share our talents so that others can benefit from them. By doing so, we can make the best use of Christ, the rock in our lives, and help others to do the same.

Ted Vlamis


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