Book of Matthew - Chapter 21 - Verse 44
Meaning
When Jesus spoke of falling on the stone, he was referring to those who come to him in humility, recognizing their need for salvation. Just as a person who falls on a stone may be broken and humbled, so too will those who come to Jesus with a contrite heart be broken of their pride and selfishness. They will experience a transformative change in their lives, as they surrender to God's will and allow Him to shape them into vessels for His glory.
On the other hand, those who reject Jesus and refuse to acknowledge Him as Lord and Savior will face the crushing weight of judgment. Just as a stone falling on someone would grind them to powder, so too will the judgment of God be swift and final for those who reject His offer of salvation. Their pride and rebellion will be their downfall, as they face the consequences of their choices for eternity.
Ultimately, the verse serves as a warning and a call to action for all who hear it. It invites us to humble ourselves before God and receive the forgiveness and grace offered through Jesus Christ. It also reminds us of the consequences of rejecting God's salvation and the ultimate fate of those who refuse to acknowledge the truth of His Word.
Theological Overview
When examining the theological interpretation of the verse, "And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder," we find that the stone mentioned symbolizes Jesus Christ. Falling on the stone represents humbling oneself before Him, acknowledging our need for His saving grace. Those who choose to fall on the stone and submit to Christ will be broken in their pride and self-sufficiency, leading to repentance and transformation. This process is necessary for spiritual growth and renewal. However, for those who reject Christ and refuse to acknowledge Him as Lord, the stone will ultimately fall on them, symbolizing God's judgment and the consequences of unbelief. In this case, the stone will grind them to powder, signifying complete destruction and separation from God. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of surrendering to Christ and the seriousness of rejecting Him.