2002-01-01
In PS 118: 22, we find Jesus Christ mentioned, although not by name. “The Stone which the builders rejected as worthless turned out to be the most important of all.” Peter certainly referred to this OT Scripture in today’s passage, 1 PET 2: 7-10 [in verse 7a]. The second part of this same verse cites IS 8: 13-15, “Remember that I, the Lord Almighty, am holy; I am the One you must fear. Because of My awesome holiness I am like a Stone that people stumble over; I am like a trap that will catch the people of the kingdoms of Judah and Israel and the people of Jerusalem. Many will stumble; they will fall and be crushed. They will be caught in trap.” This citation is the basis for 1 PET 2: 7b. If you are wondering why I cite these OT verses before giving you today’s passage in I Peter, it is because they make clear how God inspired Peter to write to the early church in terms to which formerly traditional Jews could relate. Now, let’s look at today’s passage in toto, 1 PET 2: 7-10. “This Stone is of great value for you that believe; but for those who do not believe: ‘The Stone which the builders rejected as worthless turned out to be the most important of all. And another Scripture [IS 8: 13-15] says, ‘This is the stone that will make people stumble, the Rock that can make them fall.’ They stumbled because they did not believe in the word; such was God’s will for them. But you are the chosen race, the King’s priests, the holy nation, God’s own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God, Who called you out of darkness into His own marvelous light. At one time you were not God’s people, but now you are His people; at one time you did not know God’s mercy, but now you have received His mercy.” What a gift-to be God’s own people called out of darkness into His own marvelous light! The recipients of Peter’s letter were mostly former Jews with some former pagans as well. Before coming to the conclusion that its teachings were directed only at Jews, we need to go to Paul’s revelations in RO 11: 16-24, which I hope you will read. Herein, Paul explains the process by which Gentiles are given the Gospel using the metaphor of a grafted olive tree. Faithful Jews with a strong spiritual life are represented by the root stock. Apostate Jews are branches that have been pruned off by God. Gentiles who come to faith in God through Christ are “grafted on” in the places vacated by apostate Jews. God’s mercy undergirds this entire process. That is why a formerly apostate Jew who comes to faith can be re-grafted on to the olive tree in this explanation. I do not profess to understand why some people are called to faith and reject that call while others called accept it. Only God understands that. I just know that Jesus has said, “Many are called and few are chosen” [MT 22: 14]. The fleshly trappings of our man-centered culture looks at how much money a person makes, what occupation he does, how handsome he is, or whether he is famous to decide his worth. That has nothing to do with God’s perspective on what is valuable. That is why a seemingly poor Rabbi who wandered with twelve of His followers teaching from synagogue to synagogue in the attitude of a servant was not recognized for His true identity. It is why He was rejected and crucified like a common criminal. While Isaiah was prophesying about Judah’s eventual escape from Babylon in IS 43: 18-21, we can also read this citation for understanding of its broader perspective in our eventual inheritance of God’s Kingdom as faithful, obedient believers. “But the Lord says, ‘Do not cling to events of the past or dwell on what happened long ago. Watch for the new thing I am going to do. It is happening already-you can see it now! I will make a road through the wilderness and give you streams of water there. Even the wild animals will honor Me; jackals and ostriches will praise Me when I make rivers flow in the desert to give water to My chosen people. They are the people I made for Myself, and they will sing My praises!” [See JN 7: 37-38 & IS 11: 1-9]. Peter reminds us of the same principle that Paul wrote in his epistle to the Romans in RO 5: 8-11, “But God has shown us how much He loves us-it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us! By His death we are now put right with God; how much more, then, will we be saved by Him from God’s anger! We were God’s enemies, but He made us His friends through the death of His Son. Now that we are God’s friends, how much more will we be saved by Christ’s life! but that is not all; we rejoice because of what God has done through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has now made us God’s friends.” What a merciful God we have Who has opened this way out of the wilderness of our worldly lives, Who done this for Jews and Gentiles alike, and Who has shared the marvelous light of His Gospel with us through faith in Jesus Christ! PRAYER: O Lord, through the study of Your word and the action of the Holy Spirit, You have allowed us to reach toward Your perspective to one higher than that which limits unbelievers. John Newton wrote in his famous hymn “Amazing Grace,” “We once were blind but now we can see.” Your Son Jesus Christ seen through the eyes of a believer does not have to be a “stone of stumbling.” Instead, He is our Savior, the One Who died so that we could be bought out of slavery to sin, the Lord of our lives. Instead of being the “Rock that makes us fall,” He is the “road out of the wilderness” Who made it possible for us to escape the darkness into Your marvelous light. Your mercy, compassion, and love for us can be found in every word of the Holy Scriptures, in every response to our heartfelt prayers, in the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in us, and in the painful sacrifice of Your Son that You made for us. We have no reason not to trust You, but sometimes we foolishly allow our faith to waver. Let us be reminded daily of the strength to endure that You have given us and of the fact that You deserve our undying thanks, praise, humility, adoration, honor, loyalty, trust, and obedience. In Christ’s name, amen. Tomorrow we will look at a model God sets for our conduct in 1 PET 2: 11-17. These passages written by Peter stand as constant reminders of the love God has for each of us. Bask in the loving embrace that He is giving you and never feel abandoned. Peter and I send you our love too. Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn