Rock Solid

Edward Mote grew up at the turn of the century ... the 19th century. Born in 1797 to parents who ran a pub, Ed was a street kid. He became a cabinet maker and then found Jesus, becoming the pastor of Rehoboth Baptist Church for 26 years. His congregation offered to give him the church in which he preached. "I do not want the chapel," he told them, "I only want the pulpit; and when I cease to preach Christ, then turn me out of that." And Edward Mote wrote:

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

Makes you wonder ... what "other ground"? Obviously the pastor is suggesting that "Jesus' blood and righteousness" is one place on which to build your house, but that there are others. What others?

Well, the terms alone suggest others. Many build their place to live on their own righteousness. By using a sliding scale that adjusts for everyone and leaves them "just a little bit better than that", they feel confident to stand there. If they aren't already "righteous enough", they're pretty sure they can arrive there eventually. Others build on "Jesus" without accounting for His blood. Today there are loud and constant voices assuring us that any God who would demand a blood sacrifice would be a barbaric God and has no place in our worship. But Paul warned the Ephesians, "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood" (Acts 20:28). The Church, you see, was purchased with blood. God put Jesus on display "as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed" (Rom 3:25). "Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him" (Rom 5:9). You see, "without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness" (Heb 9:22). Oh, yes, many voices urge us to abandon this view of blood-bought salvation, but the Bible considers it fundamental, absolutely necessary, even a demonstration of God's righteousness.

Many voices offer many alternatives. Lots of sinking sand. But we stand on Christ, the solid Rock. We stand on Jesus' blood and Jesus' righteousness. It is the only solid ground for hope. And for that it's as solid as a Rock.