Jesus: Our Rock Of Escape

"Our God is the God of salvation; and to God, the Lord, belong escapes from death"

-Psalm 68:20

In the Bible there is a mountain in Israel called the Rock of Escape.  This is the story of how it got its name:

King Saul had a personal vendetta against David and had poured all of his time, energy, and resources into accomplishing this one goal:  to find David and kill him.  Finally, he receives some intel that David is hiding at the rock in the wilderness of Maon and now Saul and his men are in hot pursuit to overtake David and eliminate him... 

"Saul went on one side of the mountain, and David and his men on the other side of the mountain; and David was hurrying to get away from Saul, for Saul and his men were surrounding David and his men to seize them.  But a messenger came to Saul, saying, "Hurry and come, for the Philistines have made a raid on the land."  So Saul returned from pursuing David and to meet the Philistines; therefore they called that place the Rock of Escape.  1 Samuel 23: 25-29

What a close call!  David could practically feel Saul breathing down his neck, but just when all hope seemed lost, Saul was forced to abort the mission in order to defend his land from invaders.  David's escape was such an intense moment in history that the whole mountain was named "The Rock of Escape."

Today we have a Rock of Escape.  His name is Jesus.  He is the rock that the builders rejected.  He allowed Himself to be beaten, bruised, and crucified for our wrongdoings.  We could practically feel death and punishment breathing down our necks, but just when all hope seemed lost, Christ died for us.  We ought to have borne that old rugged cross.  The nails in his hands and feet were meant for us.  The thorns on His head were supposed to be ours.  But He took it all for us, and through His death He provided our way of escape.

"How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?"(Hebrews 2:3)  
This gift must be accepted!  

How will you escape the sentence of hell?"  (Matthew 23:33)  

There is no other way but through Jesus.

This Easter, as we are celebrating the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, let's thank Him for the salvation that He offers to us. Praise Him for being our Rock of escape.

"O come, let us sing for joy to the Lord.  Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation."