In chapter 2 of his first letter Peter has described the followers of Jesus as living stones which are being built into a spiritual temple, that is the church. Jesus himself is the chief cornerstone upon which this temple is built. Peter continues his discussion of the cornerstone in verses 7 through 8. He writes, “For you who believe therefore is the honor, [“this stone is precious”, NIV] but for those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected, has become the chief cornerstone,” and, “a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” For they stumble at the word, being disobedient, to which also they were appointed.”
Those who believe and those who do not believe view the cornerstone, that is Jesus, very differently. Those who believe regard the cornerstone as being of surpassing value. Those who do not believe regard him as a usurper. It is important to recognize that our view of Jesus is no reflection on Him, but rather a statement about the condition of our own hearts. Just as gold remains gold even though someone may mistake it for brass, Jesus retains His position and honor whether we believe in Him or not. But while our actions can never diminish the glory that God has given Jesus, they have a profound effect on our own destiny. Peter quotes from the prophet Isaiah to make the point that if we will not accept Jesus as our savior, He will be the means of our destruction. Jesus himself said, “Therefore I tell you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you, and will be given to a nation bringing forth its fruit. He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but on whomever it will fall, it will scatter him as dust.” (Matthew 21:43-44) Peter makes it clear that those who stumble over the cornerstone, that is Jesus, do so because they disobey the message. But why do they disobey? It is because Jesus refuses to conform to man’s notions of what He ought to be. The Apostle Paul writes, “For Jews ask for signs, Greeks seek after wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified; a stumbling block to Jews, and foolishness to Greeks, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” (1 Corinthians 1:22-25)
It is important to understand that when Peter writes that this is “…to which also they were appointed” he is not saying that people are destined to disobey. Instead, once someone has chosen not to obey he is are destined to stumble. In chapter 1, verse 2 and again in chapter 2, verse 9 Peter tells the followers of Jesus that God has chosen them. They have been chosen from eternity because God has known from eternity that they would freely decide to follow Christ. The same principle applies here. God does not cause anyone to disobey. But since He has known from eternity those who will freely choose to disobey the message about Jesus, the cornerstone, God has, from eternity, destined them to stumble.
Peter next contrasts the followers of Jesus with those who do not believe in the cornerstone and who disobey the message. In verses 9 through 10 he writes, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: who in time past were no people, but now are God’s people, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”
The followers of Jesus have been chosen by God. But chosen for what? Peter gives the answer, “…that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you…” All of us who call ourselves Christians need to ask ourselves whether the way we live our lives displays God’s ‘excellence.’ If not, then we need to ask ourselves if we are really among the chosen or whether we are merely wearing the name.
In chapter 2, verse 5 Peter called the followers of Jesus a holy priesthood which emphasizes the character that a Christian should have. But here in verse 9 he calls them a royal priesthood which stresses the allegiance that a Christian should have. The followers of Jesus have been selected to be royal priests of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ, and it is to Him that they owe their loyalty.
What does Peter mean when he says that those who follow Jesus are a holy nation? People say that such and such countries are Christian nations. But when one studies the Bible it becomes apparent that Christ’s kingdom cannot be an earthly kingdom or country. The kingdom of Christ does not recognize any earthly boundaries. Jesus himself said, “…My kingdom is not of this world…” (John 18:36) Also, the basic meaning of the Greek word that Peter uses when he calls the nation ‘holy’ is ‘separated.’ What Peter is saying is that this nation is separated from the world and reserved for God’s use. Christ’s kingdom is a spiritual one.
In verses 9 and 10, Peter says two times that the followers of Jesus are God’s people. This is one reason that Christians are sometimes persecuted. For while the followers of Jesus are loyal and patriotic citizens, their ultimate loyalty is not to the state, but to God. As the Apostle Paul writes, “But our citizenship is in heaven…” (Philippians 3:20) And it is for this reason that the followers of Jesus are often viewed as being disloyal or even subversive because, if necessary, they will disobey the state in order to be obedient to God.
Peter writes that the followers of Jesus have been called out of darkness into God’s light. The Apostle Paul corroborates this when he writes, “…it is God who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6)
Peter also tells the followers of Jesus that they have received mercy. It is only by following Jesus that we can receive God’s mercy. Mercy will not be shown to anyone who rejects Jesus.