Stones were important in the ancient world.

Physically, rocks and stones were useful pieces of equipment for sharpening metal, building walls, houses, and temples, weaponry for war, public execution, and lots more!

Spiritually, rocks and stones were fashioned into idols to be worshipped, or the stones themselves became the points of worship. For God’s chosen people Israel, stones were set as memorials, to remind future generations of God’s great works.

Metaphorically, in the Bible, we find imagery of rocks and stones used to explain incredible truths about life and eternity. Jesus Himself, continued this practice in His ministry in the First Century, which was continued by His Apostles throughout the New Testament writings.

Peter followed this practice.

“As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 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. 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.’

So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,’ and ‘A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.’

They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.”

1 Peter 2:4-8

Our Living Hope is found in the Living Stone.

Peter shifts from Jesus as Living Hope in 1 Peter 1, to this picture of Jesus as a Living Stone. There is incredible beauty in how the Spirit led Peter to write this passage.

He presents these amazing theological truths held in metaphor in verse 4 and 5, beginning with the words, “As you come to him,” (Vs. 4). Then backs up these truths, adding prophetic poetry as evidence in verses 6 through 8 with the statement, “For it stands in Scripture:” (Vs. 6)

He Is the Living Stone

Peter’s first theological truth-picture is that Jesus is a Living Stone. (Vs. 4) That although He was rejected by men (mankind / humanity), Jesus is chosen and precious to God (the Father).

Then the prophetic, poetic evidence that Jesus, the Living Stone has become the Cornerstone! (Vs. 6-7) Peter quotes Isaiah 28:16 in verse 6, proclaiming Jesus as “…a cornerstone chosen and precious…” (Do those words sound familiar? He used them in his opening statement about Jesus as the Living Stone, having them a spear twice!)

Then Peter quotes Psalm 118:22 in verse 7, giving evidence to Jesus’ rejection by mankind, that He was the “…stone that the builders rejected…” This of course, pointing to the religious elite that had Him arrested, given over to the Romans for public execution; the crucifixion that would become the sacrifice for the sins of all mankind.

We Become Living Stones

Peter’s weave of theology and prophecy continues but with us as the focus. That we, the Church become Living Stones! (Vs. 5) He writes, “…you yourselves become living stones…” Moreover, that we are being built into a spiritual house, like a Temple of people moving from Old Covenant physical place of worship; that the spiritual worship happens within us and through us.

It gets better! Not only are we the living stones, built into a spiritual house, but that we become the holy priesthood! For the Jewish audience, how could they feel worthy of such a title? That they could be worthy to receive the honour that was once held by the Levites of old?

Maybe today, you struggle receiving such a title as well? How could this be? Peter’s prophetic evidence provides the answer, that we must accept Jesus as the Cornerstone. (Vs. 6-7) And even if we, aware of our sin and shame, respond, “I’m not worthy!” Peter reminds us that, “…whoever believes in him will not be put to shame…the honor is for you who believe…” (Is. 28:16)

Living Stones Offer Spiritual Sacrifices

How do we function as living stones? What is required of us? We offer spiritual sacrifices. “As we come to him…you yourselves become living stones…” (Vs. 5) In days of old, the offering of animal sacrifices was required.

Once again, through the Living Stone Jesus, our Cornerstone has brought us from the physical requirements into spiritual freedom. That our lives in and of themselves, devoted to Him and His Gospel mission become spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to our Holy God.

Living Stone or Stone of Stumbling?

Sometimes we have to face sobering truths. And this is the case as we round out this passage. God leads Peter to remind us of a sobering truth in verse 8, that was written many years before.

“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” (Ps. 118:22) and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” (Is. 8:14)

1 Peter 1:8

Some have and will continue to reject Jesus. Instead of placing him as the Cornerstone, they will place themselves, someone else, or something else, as the cornerstone of life.

They will place an idol in Jesus’ place, at the foundation of their lives.

Peter didn’t make this stuff up. Not only does he give quotations from Old Testament prophecy, Jesus, Himself spoke of this sobering truth.

Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:

“‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?

Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”

When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them. And although they were seeking to arrest him, they feared the crowds, because they held him to be a prophet.

Matthew 21:42-46

This account appears in Mk. 2:10-11 and Lk. 20:17-18 as well. Even though it’s difficult to read, clearly this was an important teaching.

Living Stone or a Stone of Stumbling?

Is Jesus a Living Stone or a stone of stumbling? This is the question for each and every one of us. Is Jesus my Cornerstone or a rock of offense?

Is His life, ministry and teaching offensive to me? Or is it foundational for my life and ministry? Will I build my life on Him as the Cornerstone; building everything from Him? Or will I build my own house with someone or something else as my cornerstone?

Today, why not choose to make Jesus your Cornerstone?