Now to you who believe, this stone is precious.
Yesterday we talked about Jesus being the “cornerstone of reality.” In today’s passage, Peter points us to the people who believe.
Something interesting is going on here. The “stone” Peter talks about looks different depending on belief. We will talk more about the unbeliever’s view tomorrow (Lord willing!). The believer’s view alters everything.
Back in the beginning, in Genesis 3, we see Adam and Eve after they have eaten from the Forbidden Tree. They have changed. It is like they no longer believe. In a heartbeat, they have been changed from total trust in God their Creator to being afraid of him. (Genesis 3:10)
There are a lot of complicated theological theories floating around about the meaning of sin and the means of redemption. Please forgive me if I take a somewhat simplistic approach. When Jesus was lifted up from the grave he called you and me to him. We looked up in faith and at that moment we became able to believe again.
Having been given the gift of belief, our eyes have been changed, too. That was something else that happened in the garden. As the serpent explained in Genesis 3:3, “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
Having “eyes opened” to evil turned out to be a bad thing. Keeping our eyes on the risen Lord is the antidote. Because of belief, because we see through new eyes of faith, we see and understand the value of Jesus, the cornerstone. To us who believe he is precious indeed.
Application: Keep our eyes on Jesus 24/7.
Food for Thought: Gemstones are measured in carats and valued in currency. How do we measure the preciousness of the stone Peter is talking about?
We cannot value Jesus enough. The interesting thing about this verse to me, is the difference between the value of Jesus to a sincere follower compared to the world. To us the name of Jesus is precious and holy, to the world it is an insult and a cuss word. We value faith in Jesus as essential, the world sees it as foolish. We see Jesus as life, somehow the world sees Him a death. The minds eye seems to be changed upon accepting Jesus for who He is (1 Corinthians 2: 6 – 16)
Rich,
The 1 Corinthians passage is very interesting. The question today is not an easy one. We are talking about two entirely different value systems. Just like you can’t go to the grocery story and buy anything with Monopoly money, in the same way you can’t buy salvation with good works.
Love, understanding, our whole thought process. At first I thought I knew what I wanted it was all about me. Now with new eyes and with faith in the truth I can see it’s not all about me what I wanted. It’s about him, his glory what he did for us out of his love. How can I better walk in his footsteps, follow his path, trust in him not of my desires of my past life but having all new desires learning about his love, letting it be the cornerstone that I’m building my new life on.
Timothy,
It is a delight to read your words and know that you believe every one of them. You are right. It is all about Him, our Lord Jesus. He, of course, points to the Father. The Father, in turn, points us to love.
Well said!
Basically what Rich said.
Great job Rich and Tim. Christ told us He did not come to bring peace, but division. we have it internally as well as externally.
How do we measure the preciousness of the stone Peter is talking about?
The cost to God was beyond our ability to comprehend.
Isaiah 28, The Lord God says, Listen carefully, I am laying in Zion a Stone, a tested Stone, A “precious” Cornerstone as the secure foundation. Those who trust in, rely on, and adhere to this Stone will not be distressed, or be in fear. Those who reject this Stone shall not escape final judgement.
God gave His only Begotten Son. Christ endured humiliation, severe physical abuse, gave His life in the most painful death of crucifixion at the hands of His created beings. Jesus experienced the wrath of God for the sins of all mankind, He suffered separation from our Holy God as He took upon Himself the sins of all mankind, so we who have no righteousness could enter into eternal righteousness by Him.
How do we measure the value , the preciousness of this stone?
In Luke 4:5-7, Matthew 4:8-9 We see, this stone is beyond the worldly value of all the kingdoms of all the world, for all time. These were offered by satan and rejected by Jesus. There is no worldly price we can put on this precious gift which has infinite value.
Each must personally value this gift based on their response to the law written in their hearts and the conviction by the Holy Spirit. Those who turn from self righteous lives, humbly accept Christs’ sacrifice for their sins will freely receive eternal life, those rejecting this Stone will receive eternal separation from God.
It would seem, there is only price for each. We must give our lives to God through Christ.
Ron,
I really like the points you have made today. You highlight the price that God put on the stone we are talking about. Then you contrast that with all the wealth of the world. Nicely done!
Thank you Ron and Tim. And Tim, we may have said similar things, but I appreciate the personal perspective in what you said.
I know I’m just a kindergartener compared to your guy’s level of education of the bible but here August 16th is graduation for me. Middle school here I come.
Timothy,
“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3)
In this case being a “kindergartener” is closer to the goal than you might realize. 🙂
👍🏻
Great post and great comments from all. First comment read from Rich: “We cannot value Jesus enough” Amen to that! I’m trying to grow here, but since Christ is infinitely good, just, righteous, merciful, tender, strong, powerful, all knowing, et al, it seems this will ever be the case.