Unbelievers Choose to Stumble over Christ the Stone

1 Peter 2:6-10

Christ is a Living Stone – the Chief corner stone of the church. We who are in union with him are also living stones built up by Him. As the church, the Holy Spirit dwells in us; therefore, we must be holy as the temple of the living God. Our responsibility as priests is “to offer up spiritual sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ” (5b). In verse 6 Scripture prophesies what Christ is to believers: “Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.” Unbelievers may foolishly refuse to repent and accept Jesus, the life-giving stone. However, those of us who trust in God we believe that Jesus was chosen and precious. No matter how bleak our situation may seem, there will never be shame to a child of God. Hold your head up and press on by faith in Christ.

Then the apostle prophesies about what Christ is to sinners. To those that believe, Jesus is precious; however, to those who disbelieve, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,” (7) and “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” It is disobedience to God’s word that caused them to stumble then and causes us to stumble now. We are appointed to stumble (8) if we reject God’s word. Jesus is precious, chosen by God. He is a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to the stubborn disobedient. It’s our choice.

As believers, here’s what we are to God: (a) chosen generation, (b) royal priesthood, (c) holy nation, and (d) His own special, or peculiar, people. You have been bought with the blood of Jesus. He “called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (9). Thank God for mercy; “We are now His people”(10), the holy temple of the living God. Give Him glory!