Today a return to 1 Peter 2:4-5 and add what comes next:
Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God's sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture:
"See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame."
To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe,
"The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner," and
"A stone that makes them stumble, and a rock that makes them fall."
They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
We are seeing the unfolding of a vision - a vision that goes back as far as God's people could remember. In that line of vision is a hopefulness that will bring about a life of promise that will sit among God's people as the beginning - the cornerstone of a whole new life. Remember, this was not merely an image we find in the Christian scriptures - it is throughout the Hebrew scriptures. In the face of the world - yes, in its face - comes a new building - a new way to be. Just as we see that Jesus as the Christ of God made the 'religious boys' stumble and trip up and then come back with violence and threats and death, this way of being a stone will bring forth a stoning. And yet, the Christ of God continues to live as the foundation of all that is healing and liberating and able to restore the image of God among humanity. That life - cause the world to stumble. It is a Word too contrary to the powers as they want to continue.
Connection: Still today I would say, hey precious - go for it.
In the middle of what is so common, O God, your Word is our guide as you build us into a house of solid rock. Amen.
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