My friend’s son loves building things. One time when he was just 10 years old, he tried to construct a treehouse from scratch. Although the structure looked pretty sound, upon close inspection its mounting wasn’t true. My friend’s son needed knowledge and instruction to create a wooden dwelling that was structurally solid and would last.
The words we speak to one another also need to be true—reflecting the wisdom of God. The prophet Malachi declared to Israel’s priests, “The words of a priest’s lips should preserve knowledge of God, and people should go to him for instruction . . . . [But] your instructions have caused many to stumble into sin” (Malachi 2:7-8). And so God left them with this indictment: “You have not obeyed me but have shown favoritism in the way you carry out my instructions” (Malachi 2:9).
The principles in Malachi extend to all of us when we consider the remarkable truth found in Exodus 19:6. God said to Moses,“ ‘You will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation.’ This is the message you must give to the people of Israel.” The apostle Peter later picked up that theme and extended it to all believers: “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” (1 Peter 2:5).
The key to that amazing statement is the phrase through the mediation of Jesus Christ. Because of what He has done, Peter calls us God’s “holy priests.” Through Jesus our High Priest, we have become living stones—built into God’s true temple. And as part of that solid structure we offer His grace, truth, love, and words to our searching world.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Proverbs 4:1-27
More:
Read 1 Peter 2:4-12. What promise does verse 6 contain? In verses 7 and 8, what warning is given to those who reject God?
Next:
How do you approach the tension between truth, love, and justice? Do you tend to be judgmental, or are you more likely to excuse obvious sin? How can you find balance?
Gary Shultz on May 19, 2015 at 7:04 am
Interesting. I find myself like the young builder often wanting to do something, but having a poor plan and foundation. Then I step back and ask myself if any of it was ever intended and did I follow God’s instructions? So I find I must BE something before I do something. Yes, the meditation and standing humbly in God’s presences is the key. The place for me as a living stone, an addition to God’s work, not mine. Thanks
tgustafs on May 19, 2015 at 8:12 am
I’m preaching to myself again, Gary. 🙂 It isn’t ever about me. Yet I get to be a part of something truly grand and infinitely meaningful. We all do, because of Christ, if only we will let God be God.
Tom Felten on May 19, 2015 at 9:46 am
Tim, the idea of being living stones fitted together reminds me that—as believers in Jesus—we have great strength in Him. And, yes, our Christ-honoring words and actions directed to one another are like the mortar that promote strength and unity!
Winn Collier on May 29, 2015 at 3:17 pm
This calling to be holy priests on the behalf of others is one of the most profound and beautiful – and clarifying – words in Scripture.