1 Peter 2:4-10…“Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house…” vss. 4-5a
A verse in Psalm 118, “the stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,” is quoted in each of the gospels as referring to Jesus. It was considered the perfect metaphor to describe what had happened to him in his death and resurrection.
Peter too, refers to this theme as he invited the Jewish exiles living in Asia Minor to put their trust in the living stone, Jesus Christ, a man precious in God’s sight. But then he goes beyond the traditional image by expanding the metaphor to include all those who have come to believe. Peter said that they, like living stones, will be built into a spiritual house.
This has become one of the most popular and meaningful ways of describing the Church of Jesus Christ. Each person, as a living stone, has been built into a holy temple. As the familiar hymn, Built On A Rock, puts it, “We are God’s house of living stones, built for his own habitation.” It is through us, and not through our fancy edifices, that God is present now in every nation under the sun.
Peter went on to describe us as “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,” in order that we might proclaim the mighty acts of God. It’s a magnificent calling and it belongs to us all!
Thought for the Day: Why do congregations build churches?
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