Hope in the Cornerstone
By: Patty Nicholas-Boyte
1 Peter 2:4-6 (Amplified)
4 Come to Him [the risen Lord] as to a living Stone which men rejected and threw away, but which is choice and precious in the sight of God. 5 You [believers], like living stones, are being built up into a spiritual house for a holy and dedicated priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For this is contained in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a chosen stone, a precious (honored) Cornerstone,
And he who believes in Him [whoever adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] will never be disappointed [in his expectations].”
During intense persecution, where people were frequently asked to either deny Jesus and live, or hold firm in their faith and lose their life, Peter reminds the early believers that the one they put their faith in truly was an unmovable, firm foundation. Peter describes Jesus as a precious, living stone that is the cornerstone of our spiritual house.
Around the world, from the first martyr who was Stephen, until today, an estimated seventy million people have given their lives for their faith in Jesus. Throughout the ages, these heroes of faith clung to the choice, living Cornerstone. The Rock that is unmovable.
Early in Peter’s ministry, he stood trial for healing a man who had been unable to walk, the high priest asked him under what authority he was able to perform such a miracle. He stood unafraid and was ultimately thrown into prison, but he made it clear who’s authority he operated under.
Acts 4:10-12 (NASB)
10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by this name this man stands here before you in good health. 11 He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved.”
Today, especially in the United States of America, where we have not had to make the ultimate decision, I have seen fear take hold of so many. I heard someone say recently, “Why are we so afraid to meet Jesus face to face?” Jesus told us exactly what would happen if we love our lives to the point of denying Him what would happen.
John 12:56-26
25 The one who loves his life loses it, and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.
What can we learn from 1st Peter?
· When we put aside our fears, our malice toward what we think is injustice; we can focus on the unmovable cornerstone that sustains us.
· We are the living stones that God uses to build the spiritual house also known as the Church, which is the Body of Christ.
· We don’t offer animal sacrifices today, but our ourselves as a living sacrifice to God.
· He who believes in Him will not be disappointed. God wants our faith, He wants us to believe in His goodness in the midst of pain and that He will keep us on his strong foundation.
Psalm 34:7-9 (NASB)
24 “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts on them, will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and its collapse was great.”
What questions can we ask ourselves that can affect change?
- What foundation am I standing on? Where have I built my house?
- How am I a stone for others? Is my life a good example of Jesus to others?
- How can I be a better living sacrifice to Jesus?
- How can I be bolder with my stance with Jesus? In what way am I moved with the times instead of standing firm?