I’ve always been amazed at the imagery present in the Bible and how so many parallels exist between the Old and New Testaments. The Book of 1 Peter contains some stunning examples.
In 1 Peter 2:4, Christ is the “living stone”, the foundation on which the church is built. This presents some confusing imagery – how can a stone be living? But Peter uses the phrase “living stone” to speak about the eternity (“living”) and faithfulness (“stone”) of Christ. Christ as the living stone is the eternal divine Son of God in His communion with the Father and the Spirit.
In the Old Testament the God of Israel is “the Rock” (Deut. 32:4), “the Rock of Israel” (2 Sam. 23:3; Isa. 30:29), “the LORD GOD in whom you (Israel) have an everlasting rock” (Isa. 26:4). Here, Peter identifies Jesus as YHWH, the very God of Israel.
Peter directs us to “come to Him” to find in Him our living origin, power, and end. And we can only come to Him because He has already come to us.
Another example of parallels is found in 1 Peter 2:9: “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”.
Peter now declares that the church is God’s chosen people, royal priesthood, holy nation (c.f. Exodus 19:5-6) and special possession. Christ is the Temple and High Priest and we the church are the priesthood. But this reality is specifically for us to declare God’s praises (c.f. Isa. 43:20-21) – because He has called us out of darkness and into light – wonderful light.
As Douglas Harink (Professor of theology at The King’s University College in Alberta) explains: “With these phrases the community of the Messiah is thoroughly inscribed into the being, destiny, and mission of Israel; what is ascribed to Israel is now ascribed also to the people founded on the cornerstone”.
Do we daily cherish God as our Rock and declare His praises out loud and to those with whom we come into contact? Peter implored the first century church to do this as they were being persecuted. We would do well to continue to do this today – whether we are being actively persecuted or not.
Blessings!
Darryl
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