1 Peter 2:4
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Even though Jesus was rejected by people, He's not just accepted by God, but described as "chosen and precious." This highlights that God's value system is completely upside down from ours; what humanity overlooks, God sees as the ultimate treasure.
Peter is addressing believers scattered far and wide, who are facing persecution and feeling like outsiders. He’s reminding them that their spiritual identity is firmly rooted in Jesus, who, like a cornerstone in a building, was rejected by people but is supremely valued by God. This grounding in Christ is what gives them their true belonging and strength as they navigate life’s challenges.
What does it really mean to 'come to' Jesus? It's more than just belief; it's an active, ongoing process.
Peter uses the powerful image of 'coming to him' to describe our relationship with Christ.
An Active Encounter
This isn't a one-time event, but a continuous drawing near. Think of it like approaching a living, breathing person, not a static monument. It implies trust, dependence, and a willingness to be shaped by His presence.
The Source of Life
Jesus is called a 'living stone.' This highlights that He Himself is the source of life, and by 'coming to Him,' we also partake in that life. It's an invitation to connect with the very source of spiritual vitality.
How could the one chosen by God be rejected by people? This paradox reveals something profound about God's perspective.
Peter contrasts human judgment with divine affirmation regarding Jesus.
The Rejection of the Stone
'Rejected by men' points to the historical reality of Jesus' crucifixion. Leaders and crowds alike turned away from Him, failing to recognize His divine mission and identity.
God's Unwavering Choice
But Peter immediately pivots: 'in the sight of God chosen and precious.' God’s view is the ultimate reality. Despite human rejection, Jesus is supremely valuable and perfectly chosen for His redemptive purpose. This reassures believers that their faith is not misplaced, even when the world dismisses Christ.
Understand the original words
lithos zon · Greek Noun phrase
Christ as the foundational, vital, and immutable presence of God’s plan. Unlike inanimate masonry, He possesses the very life of God and is the cornerstone of the spiritual temple.
Peter's audience, scattered and facing hardship, were often marginalized and misunderstood, much like the 'stone' they were building their lives upon. This connection would have powerfully affirmed their identity and value in God's eyes despite human rejection.
c. 700 BC
Isaiah's Prophecy
Isaiah prophesied about a 'stone, a foundation stone, a precious cornerstone' that God would lay in Zion, a stone that would bring security to believers and a stumbling block to disbelievers.
c. 20 BC - 4 BC
Jesus' Birth and Early Life
The 'stone' of God's plan, Jesus Christ, was born. His early life and ministry were largely unrecognized by the religious and political leaders of his day.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus' Crucifixion
Jesus was rejected and put to death by crucifixion, a fate considered shameful and a curse. This was the ultimate act of rejection by the religious and political authorities.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Resurrection
God raised Jesus from the dead, vindicating Him and demonstrating His power over death and human rejection. This confirmed Jesus as the living stone.
This passage echoes the concept of a cornerstone rejected by builders, which God then elevates, directly paralleling Peter's description of Jesus.
Isaiah 28:16Isaiah prophesied that God would lay a stone in Zion, a precious cornerstone, which directly connects to Peter's theme of Jesus being chosen and precious by God, despite human rejection.
Matthew 21:42Jesus himself quotes Psalm 118:22, referring to himself as the cornerstone that the builders rejected, reinforcing the rejection and divine acceptance theme Peter highlights.
Acts 4:11Peter himself, in Acts, refers back to Psalm 118:22 and Jesus being the 'stone that was rejected by you, the builders,' directly linking the Old Testament prophecy and Jesus' identity to his own teaching.
Ephesians 2:20This verse describes believers being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone, highlighting Jesus' central and foundational role in God's spiritual house.
Even though Jesus was rejected by people, He's not just accepted by God, but described as "chosen and precious." This highlights that God's value system is completely upside down from ours; what humanity overlooks, God sees as the ultimate treasure.
Peter is addressing believers scattered far and wide, who are facing persecution and feeling like outsiders. He’s reminding them that their spiritual identity is firmly rooted in Jesus, who, like a cornerstone in a building, was rejected by people but is supremely valued by God. This grounding in Christ is what gives them their true belonging and strength as they navigate life’s challenges.
Peter is addressing believers scattered far and wide, who are facing persecution and feeling like outsiders. He’s reminding them that their spiritual identity is firmly rooted in Jesus, who, like a cornerstone in a building, was rejected by people but is supremely valued by God. This grounding in Christ is what gives them their true belonging and strength as they navigate life’s challenges.
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c. AD 40s-50s
Early Church Growth
Following Pentecost, believers, empowered by the Holy Spirit, began to gather and form the early church, increasingly recognizing Jesus as their foundation.
c. AD 60-64
Peter's Ministry and Writing
The Apostle Peter, who had personally witnessed Jesus' rejection, death, and resurrection, wrote his first letter to encourage believers facing persecution, reminding them of their identity in Christ.
"As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious," — Even though Jesus was rejected by people, He's not just accepted by God, but described as "chosen and precious." This highlights that God's value system is completely upside down from ours; what hu…
