The Rock of Gibraltar

Teresa Poucher

Way back in the late 1890s, the Prudential Insurance Company used the Rock of Gibraltar in their advertising slogans, “Get a piece of the rock” and “the strength of Gibraltar.” Like their slogans, this company has proven the test of time and withstood many a storm. Prudential is still a highly successful business.

I was unaware Gibraltar was a monolithic limestone promontory.

‘Reminds me of our God:

“And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” (ICorinthians 10:4) The writer was speaking of the Israelites drinking from the rock spoken of in Exodus 17:6.

Strong’s Concordance: Rock [G4073] in Greek is “petra” – a (mass of) rock. We also read in Matthew 16:18, “…upon this rock I will build my church.” The word “rock” here is also petra in Greek.

  We often hear of Peter being called a rock:

“And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.” (John 1:42)

“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against.” (Matthew 16:18) When we look up Peter in Strong’s, we see [G4074] Petros – a (piece of) rock. So, Peter was a piece of the rock, somewhat like the Prudential slogan, “Get a piece of the rock!”

  The church was not built on Peter, “a piece of the rock;” It was built on Jesus, The Rock.

“Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation...” (Isaiah 28:16)

“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house…. Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious:” ( I Peter 2:5-6)

“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (I Corinthians 3:11)

  Peter (Petros) was a piece of The Rock (Petra – a mass of rock). He received a revelation that Jesus was The Christ: “…God was manifested in the flesh…” 1 Timothy 3:16

“He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock (Petra): and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock (Petra).” (Luke 6:48)

I surely want a piece of that Rock, the revelation of who Jesus is. I want to build my life on The Rock, Christ Jesus.