The responsive reading for today (7 May 2023) was taken from I Peter 2: 1-10, and Ephesians 2: 8-10. The commentary which appears below, was limited in scope, because of the size of the church bulletin. Please note that the apostle Peter was writing to Christians, people saved through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.

We know this by the quotation from Psalm 34:8, which states: “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” Peter uses this in a conditional statement to the believers that they grow in their faith, if indeed they have tasted and seen that the Lord is good. Following is the text of the commentary that coincided with the responsive reading, and appeared in the church bulletin.

Today’s responsive reading like the previous one, continues quoting from the apostle Peter. In the letter addressed to gentiles suffering persecution, and offering exhortations to continue in the faith; Peter refers to us becoming living stones through salvation from Jesus Christ. 

In John 1:42, when Jesus meets Simon (Peter); He gives him the name Cephas. Cephas is Aramaic meaning “rock.” In Matthew 16:42, after correctly identifying Jesus as the “Messiah, the Son of the Living God”; Jesus acknowledged that God had revealed this to him. Jesus then  tells him, “You are Peter (Petros – Greek for rock), and on this rock I will build my church” (HCSB). While the cornerstone of the Church is Jesus Christ, and its foundation is the Messiahship of Jesus; Peter (a living stone) was instrumental in its very beginning.

In today’s responsive reading Peter describes Jesus as a living stone. Old Testament Prophesy, in Isaiah 28:16, quoted in today’s reading; presents Jesus as a precious stone and cornerstone, and a sure foundation for believers. Peter goes on to indicate that as believers we too are like Jesus as living stones, making up His church.

As these living stones, our lives should reflect, the purity and strength of the Savior. We do this by ridding ourselves of things that detract from our witness for Jesus, such as malice, slander, envy, and insincerity. Through “Spiritual Milk” from reading the Bible, and listening to Christian teaching, we grow in faithful strength, and like living stones are built into a spiritual house.

We have to remember that Jesus, the cornerstone of our faith, was persecuted throughout his ministry. He suffered and died at the hands of those who did not believe, and who hated him. Through his suffering and death, Jesus paid the atonement price for us. We are confident in this because God raised Jesus from the grave, and he now reigns in heaven. The rest of the world does not believe this, and from those who today hate Jesus; we can expect the same persecution. 

Ultimately, Peter reminds us that those who hate Jesus and persecute his followers; will be the lost souls, tripped by the rejected cornerstone, who will fall. Before that happens we must remain strong in the faith, because as Peter reminds us we are a royal priesthood, and a holy nation of believers; and therefore God’s own people. Rejoice, because through Jesus; God has had mercy on us.

The responsive reading ends with words of caution and comfort, from the apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. We are saved by grace and mercy from God, and not because of anything we have done, or can do. Grace is a gift from God, purchased through the blood of Jesus shed for our sins. 

Because of this grace, we rejoice and want others we love to also experience it. Paul reminds us that we are saved through Christ, for good works. We do this because we love our Triune God, and want to show our love by bringing others into the holy nation and to become God’s own people. 

Peter reminds us that as living stones, we should let ourselves be built into a spiritual house of worship of God through Jesus Christ. This spiritual house is the church, Jesus is the head of that church; and we are called to build up and call others into its fellowship. It is not always easy to do this, but it is the commission given to each of us from Jesus. 

Praying that each of us is blessed with a wonderful week, and remain steadfast living stones in the church: the body of Christ, through his grace…

© 2023 David Posival