That Rock Was Christ

Numbers 20.1-13
I Corinthians 10.1-4

Go back with me to Exodus 17.1-7 this morning. Both times the people needed water. Moses was told to strike the Rock the first time. The second time he was told by the LORD to speak to the Rock that is before their eyes. v.8

Moses disobeyed the LORD.
He misrepresented the LORD to the people.
He let his anger rule his actions by blowing up.
If God had not punished Moses the people would have missed God's Grace as Moses did.

That Rock was Christ. I Corinthians 10.4
He is the Rock of Ages Who gives us the Living Water. John 4.10-15

There are some wonderful truths that this incident at Kadesh points to.

1. Jesus Christ Died Once For All. Hebrews 9.27-28
The words Jesus gave from the cross, "It is finished!" were in part referring to the end of the sacrificial system of the Old Covenant and the one time completion of the sacrifice of Himself under the New and Everlasting Covenant.

*It was once-v.28
Striking the Rock (which was Christ) twice would indicate that the One sacrifice was not adequate.
*It was for all. John 3.16- the world; I Timothy 1.15; Acts 2:39; Romans 10.13; Matthew 11.28
*It was for every sin. Hebrews 9.15

Moses sinned at the very point of his strength- his meekness, his humility. We need to watch out for our weaknesses but also our strengths as well- Pride comes in, we lean on our own understanding and down we go!

Another truth wonderful truth...

2. The Blood of Christ Makes Us Holy. Hebrews 10.8-11
That rock was Christ, the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world.
The blood of bulls and goats could not make us truly holy. They made the people clean in a ceremonial sense but not in an inner way. These sacrifices had to be repeated over and over again.
Now... Christ, our Passover Lamb has been sacrifices (I Corinthians 5.7)
Jesus offered Himself- v.12
He is both Great High Priest and the Sacrificial Lamb!
He was not forced into death by the Jews of the Romans.

John 10.17-18 The reason My Father loves Me is that I lay down My life- only to take it up again. No one takes it from Me. I lay it down of my own accord. I have the authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again.
John 19.10-11 "Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate asked. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?"
Jesus answered, "You would have no power over Me if it were not given to you from above." How the leaders of our nation need to go back to a civics class to understand this! All the dictators who have boasted have been brought down, while those who understand God and government and honor him live within the hearts of the righteous.

*He sat down. -v.12b
Showing His work in redeeming the world was finished.
He sat down in a place of majesty and honor- at the right hand of God, the Father.
*It is finished.
His work on the cross.
His work on earth in a physical body.

Finally That Rock is Christ...

3. Believe on the LORD Jesus Christ and You Will be Saved. Reject Him and You are Lost. Hebrews 10.32-39
Moses failed to convey God's grace which we cannot fully understand. When I think I do the LORD blows me away again with His amazing grace.
We experience it. We embrace it. We enjoy it.
It is amazing any of us are saved! While we wait it is amazing who He continues to bring into the kingdom.

It is by Grace by believing in the Rock of Ages.