1 Peter 2:4–6 (ESV) — 4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men
but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 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. 6 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.”
NOTE: The church is
a unique entity in the bible. It was a mystery, a secret until the time of
Christ. It is a living organism, a body, where each part has distinct
importance and functions. Peter also calls it a building where each stone is
part of the building of a spiritual house. The building and the body are both a
holy priesthood. Unlike the OT, where mediators were required, each member of
the church is a priest. Each member of the body can mediate directly with God.
Each member can offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God. We are part of an
incredibly large enterprise started and directed by God. As Israel was to be
holy and set apart from the nations around it, so now we, the church, are
called to be holy and set apart from the world around us. We are to identify
with Jesus as witnesses of his great work within our lives. The people Peter
was writing too were dispersed, but not really. They were part of a much larger
work. They were no longer separated by distance but were merged together into
the body of Christ. So, we too are part of the worldwide building that God is
fashioning. Each of us are a stone in the massive structure. We are all
together for the worship and glorifying of the God of creation, and the God of
salvation. Thank you Lord that I am a part of your worldwide structure.
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