Have you ever seen a map of the universe taken from space, so you can actually see the billions and billions of stars? First, they impress upon you how there are too many stars to count, then they point to 1 tiny insignificant pinpoint of light and label it “you are here.” The purpose is to make you feel insignificant.
In 1Peter 2:1-10, Peter does the opposite. He cites the Old Testament to explain the God’s majestic plan for redemptive history and insists believers are part of it. Rather than demoralize us with how insignificant we are, Peter is seeking to inspire us with the plan of God and how we are a part of it.
Review
- In 1Peter 1:1-12, Peter explained the living hope we have as believers and the inheritance we have in the kingdom of God. While we have been rescued from our guilt by the blood of Christ and the Holy Spirit has begun his sanctifying work in us, in the meantime we are in the process of testing and strengthening our faith.
- In 1Peter 1:13-25, he gave 3 examples of how faith changes us: 1) We now strive to be holy (1:14-16); 2) We love God (1:17-21); and we love our fellow believers (1:22-25).
Passage
1So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation– 3if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. 4As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” 7So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. – 1Peter 2:1-10 ESV
- 1Peter 2 starts “Therefore” (since we have this hope and inheritance and our faith will be test), long for a deeper understanding of God’s word the way a newborn longs for its mothers milk.
- Just like milk is life to a newborn, coming to a deep understanding God’s word is the milk that nourishes wisdom and maturity in us. The more we understand wisdom, the more our lives reflect it.
- Peter gives his conclusion first in 1Peter 2:4-5, then he quotes 4 different Old Testament passages.
| Peter | OT Quote |
| 2:6 | Isaiah 28:16 |
| 2:7 | Psalm 118:22 |
| 2:8 | Isaiah 8:14 |
| 2:22 | Isaiah 53:9 |
| 2:25 | Isaiah 53:4-5 LXX |
- God has this great redemptive purpose for His people, which began 1000s of years ago.
- Jesus Christ is at the center of everything God is doing.
- By believing in Jesus, you are part of His people and plan.
- But you have a choice. You have to decide if you will reject or accept the cornerstone: Jesus Christ.
- God is building on this foundation of Jesus Christ. Those who will stumble on it will be destroyed. Those who stand securely on that foundation will be built into something glorious.
- Once you had no hope, but now you have a hope that will not disappoint.
- Therefore, stand firm and be strong in your faith.
Please listen to the podcast for more detail and explanation.
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Series: 1Peter: Living as aliens and strangers
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