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 Pet 2:4-5)
The first part of this verse compares Jesus to a living stone who was rejected by men, but chosen by God and precious to Him. We know that the Scriptures say that Jesus is our Rock, even though above He is likened to a stone.
As it is written: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, and whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” (Rom 9:33, emphasis added) In this verse, both stone and rock are used interchangeably to describe our Redeemer.
. . . and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. (1 Cor 10:4)
As we continue reading 1 Peter 2:4-5, we notice that the Scripture now refers to believers and calls us living stones, as well. We’re alive in Christ and able to serve the Lord in multiple ways and multiple roles. Peter says that we’re being built up a spiritual house, a priesthood of believers whose primary assignment is to offer up spiritual sacrifices to God through Jesus.
In the Old Testament, God’s people would use a large rock and turn it into an altar upon which to give God offerings for the blessings that He had given to them. We are (each one of us) such a living stone or rock, upon which to offer sacrifices to God! We can always give Him a sacrifice of praise. (Jer 17:26b) Other sacrifices that we can offer to God are a humble spirit; and a repentant heart. (Ps 51:17)
Each of us is also a holy priest who not only offers up sacrifices, but we proclaim our own testimony of God’s goodness to us through Jesus. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light . . . (1 Pet 2:9)
We are a spiritual house unto the Lord because we carry ELOHIM* within us. Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. (John 14:23)
In Christ, we are chosen and dearly loved. We’re His priest, His altar, and the sacrifice offered to Him with love. He gives us His unconditional love, unending grace, and His abundant mercy along with ALL of the blessings (promises) of our salvation. Hallelujah!
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*Plural name for GOD.
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