“As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans 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.” (1 Peter 2:4-5)

Too many times we tend to see the church as a part of our week in which we attend. Our focus is ongoing to church. However, through Scripture we are taught that we are the church. We are the body of Christ. “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” (Ephesians 1:22-23) When we come to faith in Christ, the Holy Spirit comes into our lives, and unites us together in Jesus Christ as He teaches us the ways of God. In our own uniqueness as individual believers, we come together as God’s own.  

Peter illustrates God’s work in us as He builds us into a spiritual house. “As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans 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.” (1 Peter 2:4-5)   He calls us living stones. God’s house is to be built with living stones, those who’s faith is in Christ and are established on the Rock, the Living Stone that is Jesus. Peter had already said to the Sanhedrin, “Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’” (Acts 4:11) As we are established in Him, we become His living stones. As His living stones, we have access to The Living Stone.

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10:19-22)

As the stones for God’s spiritual house, we have also been called into a holy and royal priesthood. A priest is one who stands before God on behalf of the people, and then, stands before the people on behalf of God. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9) We praise Him as we stand before Him, then we proclaim Him and His salvation to a world in need of Him.

When Peter answered Jesus’ question, “Who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:15) He did answer Jesus correctly, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16) Jesus then stated, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:17-18) To all who will follow Peter and confess that Jesus is the Messiah, they will be made living stones being built into God’s spiritual house. When we walk with the Living Word of God, we are being built into God’s spiritual house offering spiritual sacrifices as His holy priesthood.

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block