1 Peter 2:4-5

Today I would like you to join me as I continue working through this passage from 1 Peter 2:4-6:

“Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”  1 Peter 2:4-5

Last time we focused on the fact that when we come to Jesus for salvation, we are coming to Him as to a living stone. He is the foundation of our faith and the foundation of His church.

Verse 4 goes on to tell us that He was chosen by God and precious. It is important to remember that God exists as One God in three persons. Don’t ask me to explain that. It is just what the Bible says. Before time began there was love and communication between and among the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Son took on flesh and came to live here among us as a man. It’s because of the close relationship of the persons in the trinity that Peter can say He is chosen and precious to God the Father.

Verse 4 also tells us, however, that He was rejected by men. John 1:11 says, “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.”

Isaiah prophesied, “He is despised and rejected by men” (Isaiah 53:3).

When we come to Christ, we are coming to someone who most of the world has rejected. But, we are coming to someone who is highly treasured by God. You need to take a moment and think about that. Would you rather be with the One who is treasured by God, or somebody who is treasured by the world. Famous actors and rock stars are lifted up and idolized all over the world. It seems that everyone knows who they are, and somehow, has the money to attend their events. But remember, much of what the world holds up, God despises. And the One God treasures, the world despises.

Back to our passage: Given that introductory information, we should be startled to read that “you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, ….” You also! You also are like a living stone. Jesus is a living stone, and you also are like living stones that God is using to build something. We’ll think more next time about what we are being built into. But there is enough here to provide lots of opportunities for meditation and thanksgiving.