I’ve been stuck on this same section of First Peter for several weeks. Those of you who read the emails each week may wonder why. Well, look at the text:
1 Peter 2:6–8 (NKJV)
6Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”
7Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,”
8and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.
Peter is describing a stone which is a cornerstone which is precious to some, rejected by others, a stone that causes stumbling, and a rock of offense. Referring to this same rock, Jesus said that whoever this stone falls on will be crushed to powder (Matthew 21:44).
This word picture is taken from three Old Testament passages: Isaiah 28:16; Psalm 118:22; and Isaiah 8:14.
The first lesson I want us to take from this is that God appointed Christ to be the cornerstone. He is the foundation of our faith and He is the main cornerstone of the church. The apostles and prophets make up the rest of the foundation (Ephesians 2:20). He who was rejected by many has become the chief cornerstone. They thought that rejecting Him would put Him out of the picture, but their intentions were foiled. Human rejection does not overturn God’s choice or purpose.
And then, here’s the promise for us who believe: “He who believe on Him will not be put to shame.”
Do I build my life on Christ and God’s word, or do I allow human opinion, popular ideas, and my own judgment to form the foundation of my life? God’s chosen cornerstone is worthy of my complete trust, even if everyone else rejects Him.