6. As you come to him, the living Stone-- rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him-- 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.
7. Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,"
When Jesus met Simon, he named him "Peter", or "Rock", even though Peter's character at that time was decidedly un-rocklike. But Jesus saw what he would become, just as He sees us, not only as we are but as what we will become in Him.
When Andrew, Peter’s brother, brought him to Jesus. “Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon, son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).” John 1: 42. “Cephas” is an Aramaic word which means stone. So, from the time he met Jesus, his name was Simon Peter, or Simon the Rock.
The first thing we notice in these seven verses is the number of references to stones. Living stones. Precious stones. Corner stones. Stones that are chosen by God but rejected by men. A stone that causes people to stumble and fall.
Why would Peter have a special interest in the qualities of different types of stones? Could it be because through his life the name given to him by Jesus caused him to think of this as a prophecy of his life? He is to be a stone, unmoved, and solid. He sees Jesus was proclaimed to be the stone rejected during His trial and crucifixion that is now the very foundation of the faith for His followers.
We see this metaphor used to encourage the church which is built upon this stone. The kingdom of God is to be built on His followers who are like the stones to a temple to give glory and honor to God.
Peter reminded the rejected Christians of the prophecy of Jesus the cornerstone and that this was how God worked in the Old Testament too (How life-giving water flowed from the rock struck by Moses, and were piled for memorials of what God had done at the Jordan with Joshua, etc.). The people of God, though rejected of men, are the ones God uses and blesses to change the world.
As we consider that the foundation of our faith is based on the person of Jesus Christ, we also realize we as His followers are part of a bigger plan. He uses us in different ways to accomplish His purposes. Sometimes we are used as a result of rejections and failures. The point is not to concentrate on those experiences, but where those experiences bring us as we continue to trust the Lord. We will stand strong when the world falls apart.
Application: Think on these things and the priorities of your life.
Prayer: Lord, as my world sometimes seems like it is falling apart on every front, help me to keep my eyes fixed on You, knowing that nothing touches my life without passing through Your fingers of Love.
