Cornerstones and Stumbling Blocks - Pt 1

For 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.” So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. (1 Peter 2:6-8 ESV).

Not long ago Mary traveled with her sister to Venice, Italy, and cruised the Mediterranean. While they were there she visited the master glass blowing artisans of Murano, Italy. Venice and Murano are famous for more than the canals. All along the old town are artisans who have taken glass blowing to an incredible art form. Because it is an ancient city, the streets are cobblestone. There are plenty of opportunities for stumbling! We have been looking through the first letter of the Apostle Peter over the past few weeks. We have seen how coming to Jesus, God's “Living Stone” causes us to be living stones and shapes us into a spiritual house for God's dwelling and makes us a holy priesthood so that we can offer spiritual sacrifices of praise and obedience that will be acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. The key was Christ. He is the Living Stone which is the foundation of this house and his life is imparted to all the little stones—us believers—who are built into a temple that throbs with life. Today we begin to see the three Old Testament references where Peter got this idea of Christ as a Stone that God set down in Zion. But there is something remarkable about the way Peter quotes these three texts. He doesn't just quote them; he interprets them and gives them a tremendously encouraging twist for people in our situation. The first truth we find is that believing on the “Stone” guarantees our victory. Peter quotes Isaiah 28:16: "Behold I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, and he who believes in Him shall not be disappointed." The point here is that if you trust Christ, God's corner stone, you will not be disappointed. This stone will not prove faulty. If you build your life on this stone, your life will not crumble in the storm. If you hide behind this stone, you will be safe. If you stand on the truth of this stone, you will not be ashamed. If you join with others in the spiritual house built on this stone, you will be proud of your foundation and your fellowship will stand. Then Peter draws out the lesson in his own words: "This precious value, then, is for you who believe" (v. 7); he further says that the preciousness is for believers. If you believe on this stone then he is precious, because you will never be disappointed in him or ashamed of him. Jesus will never let you down. Others may, but Jesus never. Now that is a great encouragement. If there were a way never to be disappointed or a way never to be ashamed, wouldn't you want to know that way? Peter says: the way is to trust what Jesus will be for you as God's "chosen and precious corner stone." God says, "You cannot lose. You cannot be disappointed in having done this. You cannot be put to shame." That’s good news indeed!