Holding on to Hope: 1 Peter 2:4-8
Tuesday, May 11
Today’s reading: 1 Peter 2:4-8
“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. For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling, a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.”
It’s key to remember Peter’s message we studied last week about unity and yesterday about God’s word nourishing us. It's foundational to our message today where we are called to be living stones who use God’s word along with our fellow believers to build a spiritual house. We absolutely need the nourishment, help of others and direction for the building process! Can you imagine a house being built without a blueprint and a work crew?
Peter reflected on words from the old testament as he prepared his letter and encouragement for hope. He found 3 verses (Isaiah 28:16 and 8:14 and Psalm 118:22) that linked “stone” to Jesus who was chosen by God and precious to him, yet rejected by men. Peter wants to reassure us that even though believers will be rejected and insulted by others, we are chosen and precious too. We are living stones made to fit together with other living stones to draw near to the Cornerstone to be a temple, a spiritual house.
Think about how critical cornerstones are. Builders have used cornerstones in their construction projects for quite some time. A cornerstone is the principal stone, usually placed at the corner of a structure, to guide the workers in their course. It is usually one of the largest, most solid, and the most carefully constructed piece in the structure being built. Once the cornerstone is set, it becomes the basis for determining every measurement in the remaining construction; everything is aligned to it. As the cornerstone of the building of the church, Jesus is our standard of measure and alignment. He is critical, foundational and directional in what he builds.
Peter wanted to instill within the "scattered" and us that God puts people together in a holy temple, perfectly fit to withstand all attacks, threats and stresses. He joins his people together for a divine purpose. Know that you are part of God’s holy temple and that you are a precious living stone, designed to be a living display of His greatness. We are called to live that way. Live your life in such a way that even those who reject you will come to see Christ in you.
I find hope in our Cornerstone that is unshakeable as we come together as living stones in unity to be the spiritual house our God desires. What about you? Any praises today for the hope in God as He calls you to be a living stone?
I am grateful for our Soul Sister living stones who come together and encourage each other to grow in our faith so that we will know Christ in such a way that His light will shine in us and through us for all the world to see.
Jesus, You are our living hope! We give thanks to you for being the Cornerstone in our lives. Never let us lose sight of doing and saying what’s right and good, no matter how difficult the road may be. Let us live as true living stones, joining together for your ultimate purpose and all according to your master plan. In your name we pray. Amen