The earliest known depiction of blasphemous graffiti is the “Alexamenos graffito,” which dates back to 200 AD. Scratched into a stone wall in Rome, it shows a young man worshipping a crucified, donkey-headed figure. The Greek inscription translates, “Alexamenos worships his god.”
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If that wall could talk, I’m sure it would tell of the reactions this primitive scratching received as people passed by. Undoubtedly, some pointed and laughed, while others grieved for the hardness of heart behind such a portrayal. Even though the artist intended this picture to demean and mock Christ and Alexamenos, it also reveals something precious. Alexamenos, whoever he was, had visible faith, and in his identification with Christ, he shared in his reproach. Jesus told his disciples, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you” (John 15:58).
Perhaps we feel the world’s hatred more acutely after watching last week’s opening ceremonies at the Olympics. Whether it’s ancient graffiti or a modern Broadway-like production, not much has changed in the last 1800 years. Flashy choreography, costumes, and lights don’t make Satan’s old lies new. There is nothing clever or original in what the enemy propagates. He has no new ideas and only tears down what is good, true, and beautiful.
I won’t retell what played out across our screens, but the Olympic organizers intentionally tried and succeeded at offending Christians and blaspheming Christ. While their offenses were many, I think we’re missing the offense that started it all. The offense behind the offense: Jesus Christ himself.
The rock of offense
In his letter to Christians in exile, Peter reminds his readers they shared in the sufferings of Christ. They were rejected because Jesus was rejected. As the Old Testament foretold, Jesus was a stone of stumbling, a rock of offense, and the cornerstone the builders rejected (1 Peter 2:6-8). Like an immovable boulder stuck in humanity’s path, Jesus is still tripping up people, nations, and Olympic committees. Their blasphemous actions may offend us, but Peter says they stumble because they disobey the Word as they were destined to (v.8). God’s not surprised by their actions, so we shouldn’t be either.
Try as men might, there’s no getting around the person and work of Jesus. At some point, every person will give an account for himself before God (Rom 14:12). They may ignore, mock, and blaspheme, but as they do, they demonstrate their stumbling. As a rock, Jesus is not only a tripping hazard but also a living stone and the foundation of a new building, the Church.
“As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Pet 2:4-5).
If there’s anything new to admire, it’s the spiritual house of living stones that God is building up around the living stone. God’s house is always growing, and he adds stones every day. As we are one with him, he is making us into his Church. We are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a people for his own possession (v. 9). He is the source and foundation of this new building. And just like the stone smitten in the wilderness brought life-sustaining water to God’s people, Jesus the living stone gives new life, the eternal kind, to his people.
As you come to him
These truths must have comforted Peter’s original readers, as they still do today. Now, because of the resurrection, God’s dwelling place isn’t confined to one place; the temple of God goes wherever his Spirit-filled people go. No longer are we separated from God by a system of high priests, sacrifices, and thick veils; now, we’re invited to come to him.
Peter uses the word ‘proserchomai’ for ‘come to him,’ indicating that we come to the living stone for salvation and also for an intimate, abiding, personal fellowship. In this ongoing coming to him, we experience the privileges and honors of being “in Christ.” The more we come to Christ, the more we press in and depend on him. Stone upon stone, pressing, cleaving, uniting together until we no longer appear distinct but as one.
Joined to him, our living stone
Charles Spurgeon said, “Have you not noticed in an old Roman wall that you cannot distinguish the mortar from the stone? You cannot tell where the stones were joined; they have grown to be one piece. Blessed is that Christian, who, like a living stone, has continued to come to the foundation till Christ, and he has become one, as it were, indeed, one in conscious fact, so that nothing can divide them. Thus, we continue to come to Jesus and draw nearer to him; nearer and yet nearer still, built up into Him, perfectly joined in one spirit. Then, and only then, shall the Christian life be perfected.”
Joined to him as living stones, we continually come to him, and he builds us up into something new and beautiful. By all outward appearances, it’s nothing special—just one nondescript stone upon another. But this new living temple consists not of silver and gold but of the imperishable beauty of a new people living holy lives of faith. There’s nothing special about us, the living stones that make up the Church, but we rest on the chosen and precious foundation of Christ.
Chosen and precious
Peter says that men rejected the living stone, Jesus, but God chose and valued him. His surpassing value stands in complete contrast to what the world values. He’s a precious stone of inestimable value, highly prized, and costly. Many don’t see him as precious, but God does, and by his grace, he gives us eyes to see him that way too.
Jesus once asked Peter, “Who do you say I am?” Peter, whose name means ‘rock,’ replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” In a play on words, Jesus replied that the rock of Peter’s confession would be the foundation upon which he would build his church, and the gates of hell would not prevail against it (Matt 16:16, 18). How appropriate that Peter, the rock, reminds us that the living stone is, and forever will be, a rock of offense and a stumbling block for those who are perishing.
The world’s graffiti may rightly offend us, but we find comfort in knowing that if the world hates us, it is because it hated Christ first. Together with Alexamenos and millions of others, we are growing into something beautiful, precious, and indestructible—living stones on top of the living stone, the rock of ages.
Cara
I hope you enjoyed this short series on 1 Peter, in which we explored our living hope, the living Word, and the living stone. Subscribe below and never miss a post.
2 Responses
This is an encouraging, biblical, hopeful AND true perspective. Timely and true.
I especially appreciate this (Spurgeon and Greek 😌):
“Peter uses the word ‘proserchomai’ for ‘come to him,’ indicating that we come to the living stone for salvation and also for an intimate, abiding, personal fellowship. In this ongoing coming to him, we experience the privileges and honors of being “in Christ.” The more we come to Christ, the more we press in and depend on him. Stone upon stone, pressing, cleaving, uniting together until we no longer appear distinct but as one.
Charles Spurgeon said, “Have you not noticed in an old Roman wall that you cannot distinguish the mortar from the stone? You cannot tell where the stones were joined; they have grown to be one piece. Blessed is that Christian, who, like a living stone, has continued to come to the foundation till Christ, and he has become one, as it were, indeed, one in conscious fact, so that nothing can divide them. Thus, we continue to come to Jesus and draw nearer to him; nearer and yet nearer still, built up into Him, perfectly joined in one spirit. Then, and only then, shall the Christian life be perfected.”
Joined to him as living stones, we continually come to him, and he builds us up into something new and beautiful.”
Wow, this is such a great perspective to have after that blasphemous event last week. I love thinking about Jesus in this way; the rock of offense. Thank you for this good word!!