Michael Card has taken the theme of the stumbling-block mentioned in Psalm 118:22 and 1 Peter 2:7-8 TNIV and written a song about it called ‘Scandalon’, the Greek word for stumbling block or rock which is a cause of stumbling. Peter applies the verse in Psalm 118:22 to Jesus Christ, whose person and career were so contrary to the expectations of the Jews concerning the Messiah that they rejected him and therefore did not experience the salvation on offer. We, on the other hand, have experienced salvation through Christ and it is marvellous in our eyes, but, as the last verse reminds us, there is a cost involved in following Christ and we must all consider that cost and understand ‘the scandal of believing.’
‘The seers and the prophets had foretold it long ago
That the long awaited one would make men stumble,
But they were looking for a king to conquer and to kill:
Who’d have ever thought He’d be so meek and humble?
He will be the truth that will offend them one and all,
A stone that makes men stumble
And a rock that makes them fall.
Many will be broken so that He can make them whole
And many will be crushed and lose their own soul.
Along the path of life there lies a stubborn Scandalon
And all who come this way must be offended
To some He is a barrier, to others He’s the way
For all should know the scandal of believing.
It seems today the Scandalon offends no one at all
The image we present can be stepped over.
Could it be that we are like the others long ago?
Will we ever learn that all who come must stumble?’ (‘Scandalon’, Michael Card)
‘Scandalon’, Michael Card