Tuesday Devo
Scripture:
1 Peter 2
4 You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor.
5 And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. 6 As the Scriptures say,
“I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem,
chosen for great honor,
and anyone who trusts in him
will never be disgraced.”
7 Yes, you who trust him recognize the honor God has given him. But for those who reject him,
“The stone that the builders rejected
has now become the cornerstone.”
4 You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor.
5 And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. 6 As the Scriptures say,
“I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem,
chosen for great honor,
and anyone who trusts in him
will never be disgraced.”
7 Yes, you who trust him recognize the honor God has given him. But for those who reject him,
“The stone that the builders rejected
has now become the cornerstone.”
Commentary:
2:4 As you come to him indicates a daily personal relationship with Christ, beginning at but not limited to the time of conversion. As believers continue in fellowship with Christ, they “are being built up as a spiritual house” (v. 5). Just as his followers suffer persecution, Jesus also was rejected by men. Still, he is risen from the dead and hence is the living stone—the foundation of God’s new temple. He is God’s elect (chosen) one, and as the exalted Lord he is honored above all.
2:5 Believers are living stones in God’s new temple (i.e., spiritual house). Since the components that make up the house are “living,” the house itself is also growing: you yourselves … are being built up. Peter sees that the OT temple anticipated the new temple where God dwells (i.e., in his people). But believers are not only God’s temple but are also a holy priesthood, which offers spiritual sacrifices (cf. Rom. 12:1; Phil. 4:18; Heb. 13:15–16) by the power of the Holy Spirit.
2:6 In support of the idea that Jesus is the cornerstone (see note on Eph. 2:20) of God’s temple, Peter cites Isa. 28:16 (cf. Rom. 9:33; 10:11). Jesus is the elect Messiah whom God has honored by raising him from the dead. Those who put their trust in him will enjoy vindication on the last day.
2:7 Eschatological (i.e., end-time) honor belongs to believers, but unbelievers will find the prophecy from Ps. 118:22 fulfilled. The stone the builders repudiated is the foundation of God’s temple, his new people.
Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2407.
2:5 Believers are living stones in God’s new temple (i.e., spiritual house). Since the components that make up the house are “living,” the house itself is also growing: you yourselves … are being built up. Peter sees that the OT temple anticipated the new temple where God dwells (i.e., in his people). But believers are not only God’s temple but are also a holy priesthood, which offers spiritual sacrifices (cf. Rom. 12:1; Phil. 4:18; Heb. 13:15–16) by the power of the Holy Spirit.
2:6 In support of the idea that Jesus is the cornerstone (see note on Eph. 2:20) of God’s temple, Peter cites Isa. 28:16 (cf. Rom. 9:33; 10:11). Jesus is the elect Messiah whom God has honored by raising him from the dead. Those who put their trust in him will enjoy vindication on the last day.
2:7 Eschatological (i.e., end-time) honor belongs to believers, but unbelievers will find the prophecy from Ps. 118:22 fulfilled. The stone the builders repudiated is the foundation of God’s temple, his new people.
Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2407.
Questions:
- In verse 4, Peter says that Jesus is the cornerstone, and we as His body are living stones that God is building into a spiritual temple. WE ALL, together, are God's BUILDING. When we are adopted by God, we become part of the family of God. As we've said, there are no lone rangers in the body of Christ. So then, we should stave ISOLATION and feed INTEGRATION into the body. The church is made up of people that have an invisible spiritual life, but unity that is visibly expressed in our gathering together. We need community. Are you leaning into the community of believers around you? Are you fully rooted in your family of faith? How can we fight isolation?
- Peter says we are "holy priests," and that through the mediation of Jesus we are to offer God spiritual sacrifices that please Him. This means we're to starve SELF-INDULGING and feed SELF-SACRIFICING. Just like Paul says in Romans 12, we are to offer OURSELVES as living sacrifices. And in Philippians he says that fullness of life and joy are found in pouring yourself out for God and His people. Does this come close to describing your life? What are some ways you are self-sacrificing in order to serve God and people?
Pray:
- That God would give you the courage to root yourself in a family of faith.
- That you would live your life to serve others.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
3. Why did Jesus have to die on the cross? Since “all have sinned” and the “wages of sin is death,” Jesus had to die on the cross to pay the fine for my sin so I could be right with God.
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
No Comments