QFive Smooth Stones
Originally scheduled for June 9
First Samuel 17:40
It remains one of the great mysteries of the Bible. David, on his
way to meet Goliath, stops to pick up five smooth stones out of the
brook. The mystery? Why five stones? Why not just one? After all,
that was all that would take. So why five?
·
A large number of authors have declaimed on the numeric value of
five having some great significance in the Hebrew language. This
explanation would be a bit more impressive if they all agreed on
what that significance is.
· Many
authors just take advantage of the number five to put forward a five
point sermon. They never explain what the connection is with David’s
stones — but it is a very flexible approach.
·
Others make various connections into the prophetic literature,
particularly Revelation. A computer search for the word “five” will
yield about 170 verses, many of which occur in prophetic literature.
There are, of course, a few more mundane possibilities.
· Perhaps it’s just this: maybe God
didn’t tell him he needed only one stone. Given the results, you can
see why David didn’t complain of this oversight.
·
David has used the sling and stone before. He has a good deal of
experience with them, evidently. Maybe it was simply just good
judgment.
· Maybe the bag would
only hold the five stones. We have to allow for a small bag, I
suppose.
So what does this have to do with communion?
It’s very simple: I’m going to give you five smooth stones — of the
mental variety — to remember. Here are five things that you should
get out of communion anytime you partake.
·
Bread. You should remember that the bread represents the body of
Christ, nailed to the cross for your sins.
·
Cup. You should remember that the cup represents his blood, which is
given for the forgiveness of your sins.
·
Atonement. You should remember that Christ is the Lamb of God who
takes away the sins of the whole world. Anyone who accepts Christ is
forgiven and — more than forgiven — reconciled to God the Father.
· Resurrection. You should remember
that Christ rose again on the third day in bodily form, victorious
over the great enemy of mankind — death.
·
Coming again. You should look forward to the return of Jesus Christ
and the great judgment of the world, including your own
resurrection. We hope each of you hear from him, “Well done, good
and faithful servant.”
