The Cornerstone? (1 Peter 2:4-10)

Peter was a fisherman who Jesus called to become a fisher of men.  I don't know what he saw in Jesus that first day, but it was enough for Peter to drop his nets and follow him.  Peter saw something in Jesus worth following that day.  As time went on, his picture of Jesus continued to grow.

As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him-- you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:4-5 NIV)

Peter continued the pattern Jesus began with him.  In his first letter, Peter reminds us that God wants to build us into his new, living church.  We are the new temple and the new priesthood.  Through us, people will reconciled to God...through Jesus.

For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame." Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone," and, "A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the message--which is also what they were destined for. (1 Peter 2:6-8 NIV)

Jesus is not only the final, perfect sacrifice - paying the penalty for our sins.  He is also the cornerstone for the church.  We are supposed to be aligned to him.  Some of us are.  To us, he is the cornerstone.  Some of us are not.  For them, he is a stumbling block.  Either way, Jesus does not waver.  His role stays the same.  He is the rock we need in our lives.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10 NIV)

Because of Jesus we have received mercy from God.  Because of Jesus, we are God's holy people.  Because of Jesus, we are God's special possession, a chosen people, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation.  Jesus was not just all of the titles we discussed this week.  Jesus is the reason we can be forgiven, different, and filled with purpose.  Jesus changes our lives - if we let him.

What about you?  Do you let Jesus change your life?  Is he the cornerstone against which you align your life?  Or is Jesus a stumbling block you trip over?  Who is Jesus to you?