Daily Bread 2011 - 1 Peter 2
The Living Stone and a Chosen People
4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
What Does This Mean?
Peter uses imagery and a metaphor that would have struck a chord with the Israelites. In the Old Testament, God was described as “the Rock” on which the temple was built. The tabernacle in which God dwelt had many regulations, as the High Priest came in once a year to offer sacrifices for the people. Only the Most High Priest could come into God’s presence.
But Peter describes a new house, a “spiritual house”, into which all believers in Jesus are built into using the image of “living stones”. Just like the law which was written on rock tablets were now engraved on their hearts, so now the temple was a living edifice built on the priesthood of all believers. God has called all who believe out of the world to build the church, which is not made out of stone but on the confession of faith. Just as Simon, was renamed “Peter”, because of his rock-like confession, so on this confession Jesus is building His Church and the gates of Hades shall not overcome it.
What Does This Mean For Us?
Do you have a local church that you belong to out of which can continue this royal priesthood? God’s kingdom, His Royal Rule, needs local priests (men and women) who will intercede and be vessels of God’s grace, love and mercy through the local church. As we gather each Sunday we are literally the living temple of God, the body of Christ. Every church that gathers in Jesus’ name in the world is a “living stone” being built into a kingdom that begins here and will be realized in totality when Jesus returns in great and promised glory.
So the question becomes are you in that process of being set apart to be used by God for such a great purpose? If you are not connected to a local church and using your gifts to build His body, you are missing out on the chance to make a huge impact for God’s kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven.
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the great privilege and calling we have to be your agents of Your grace and mercy in the world. We want to continue to build on and in the house you have created with Jesus as the cornerstone! In His name, Amen.
4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
What Does This Mean?
Peter uses imagery and a metaphor that would have struck a chord with the Israelites. In the Old Testament, God was described as “the Rock” on which the temple was built. The tabernacle in which God dwelt had many regulations, as the High Priest came in once a year to offer sacrifices for the people. Only the Most High Priest could come into God’s presence.
But Peter describes a new house, a “spiritual house”, into which all believers in Jesus are built into using the image of “living stones”. Just like the law which was written on rock tablets were now engraved on their hearts, so now the temple was a living edifice built on the priesthood of all believers. God has called all who believe out of the world to build the church, which is not made out of stone but on the confession of faith. Just as Simon, was renamed “Peter”, because of his rock-like confession, so on this confession Jesus is building His Church and the gates of Hades shall not overcome it.
What Does This Mean For Us?
Do you have a local church that you belong to out of which can continue this royal priesthood? God’s kingdom, His Royal Rule, needs local priests (men and women) who will intercede and be vessels of God’s grace, love and mercy through the local church. As we gather each Sunday we are literally the living temple of God, the body of Christ. Every church that gathers in Jesus’ name in the world is a “living stone” being built into a kingdom that begins here and will be realized in totality when Jesus returns in great and promised glory.
So the question becomes are you in that process of being set apart to be used by God for such a great purpose? If you are not connected to a local church and using your gifts to build His body, you are missing out on the chance to make a huge impact for God’s kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven.
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the great privilege and calling we have to be your agents of Your grace and mercy in the world. We want to continue to build on and in the house you have created with Jesus as the cornerstone! In His name, Amen.
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