July 28, 2023

The Bible Edge

Everyone needs an Edge, Believers can have a Bible Edge

I Corinthians 10:4

And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

One of the great tools of preaching or teaching is to use illustrations. Illustrations to communicators are like windows in a house. A house without windows is closed off, dark, and no one can see in. Likewise, are spiritual truths without illustrations. Paul, an expert communicator uses illustrations often, so did Jesus. The Old Testament story of Israel’s wilderness wanderings is being employed by Paul to illustrate a spiritual truth. That truth, as given in today’s verse, is that Jesus Christ is the spiritual water of life given freely to any and all who desire it.

He is the Rock from whence comes that living water unto everlasting life. This was so during the 40-year long journey of Israel, and it is true today. Proof? John chapter 4. Therein the story is given of Jesus leading a lonely woman at a well to Himself. He told this lady when speaking of the water in the well this: Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:13-14

In the wilderness wanderings anybody could drink of that Rock that followed them. Today anybody can drink of that same Rock, the Lord Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament this was physical, in the New Testament this is spiritual. The physical set forth the ability for us to understand the spiritual.

Of that Rock that Paul mentions, notice this subtle truth: The Rock followed them. Whenever they needed water, the Rock was there. Today the same is also true. After all, Jesus boldly proclaimed in John 6:35 …I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth in me shall never thirst. This is a spiritual truth highlighted by the physical example of the Rock that followed Israel.

Perhaps a personal testimony may help. Before I put my full weight and trust upon Jesus Christ’s Gospel to forgive my sins, I was hungry and thirsty spiritually. I attended church services, met with pastors, even read a textbook on the five major religions of the world. All these things only gave me confusion and fear. But in that hotel room so many years ago, begging and crying for Jesus to save me, He did. He gave me that bread of life, that water of life. Today, nearly forty years later, I am still satisfied. Not with myself, but with Him! For He is my Rock. I trust He is yours also.

William T. Howe, Ph.D.