“As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 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’” (1 Peter 2:4-6, ESV).

The pressure on first-century Christians was great. They were living as strangers in pagan societies—in the world, but not of it. Persecution was increasing, as believers were encouraged to compromise their faith, and even outright denounce it. Along with the extraordinary pressure of persecution was the ordinary pressure of living life. Managing family. Working and trying to make ends meet. Concerns about tomorrow, while trying to make it through today. Sound familiar?

As twenty-first century believers, the pressure is just as real. Our world is becoming increasingly hostile to the truths that we hold dear. The temptation to compromise, or to just remain silent, looms over us. Persecution is lurking around the corner and in the midst of it all, we are just trying to live our lives. It is easy to lose sight of our purpose and priorities as God’s people. That is why we are called to come to Jesus.

Come to Jesus Christ.  He is the living stone that people have rejected, but which God has chosen and highly honored” (1 Peter 2:4, CEV).

In times such as these, Christ must be our focus. If He is not the center of our lives, we will not be able to handle the pressure. We will buckle under the burdens of life. The weight will be too heavy to carry, the stress too great to sustain. Come to Jesus. “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

Come to Jesus, because our lives are to be built on Him. Peter, referring to the words of Isaiah calls Jesus a “living stone.” “Therefore thus says the Lord God, ‘Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: Whoever believes will not be in haste [put to shame]’” (Isaiah 28:16). He is the cornerstone, the solid foundation on which we rest. In modern construction, cornerstones are often symbolic, maybe engraved with the date of construction. In biblical times, the cornerstone was the key to the building. Everything rested on it and was measured from it. Christ is the solid foundation on which we are built. When we look around us, and see how the world is falling apart, it is because too many lives have been built on false foundations. Let it not be so for us. Come to Jesus. He is a sure foundation.

Come to Jesus, because He is chosen and precious. He was chosen by the Father as the foundation upon which the church would be built. There is no foundation that can be built which as greater value. Twice in this passage, we are reminded that He is precious (vv. 4 and 6). The blood that He shed is precious (1 Peter 1:19). The faith that He gives is precious (1 Peter 1:7). The change that He makes in us precious (1 Peter 3:4). The promises He makes to us are precious (2 Peter 1:4). The Word He speaks is precious (Psalm 139:17). His wisdom is precious (Proverbs 3:15). Because of His death and resurrection, our very lives have become precious (Psalm 72:14; Psalm 116:15). All because He is precious. Come to Jesus.

Come to Jesus, because He is good. Have you tasted His goodness? (1 Peter 2:3). He is a good Creator (Genesis 1:31). He is the good Shepherd (John 10:11). He is a good giver (James 1:17), because Jesus does what His Father does (John 14:9). He is good in His instruction (Psalm 25:8). He has a good name (Psalm 54:6) because He is good (Psalm 100:5). He is good and He does good (Psalm 119:68). Come to Jesus. There is no good apart from Him (Psalm 16:2). In a world that seems bad, He is good. Come to Jesus.

Come to Jesus continually. We come to Jesus when we hear the gospel, turn from our sins, and put our trust in Him. This is salvation. This is the beginning point, but the words of 1st Peter 2:4 point to something more. The construction of the verse means coming to Christ repeatedly. Coming to Him over and over. It is not just a call to conversion, but a call to constant and continuing communion with Him. We need Him. Even on the very best of days, when all is well, when the struggle with sin seems distant, we desperately need Him. How much more do we need Him when the heat is on, the battle is fierce, and the burdens are heavy? Come to Jesus. And keep coming back.

If you are weary, come to Jesus (Matthew 11:28). If you are thirsty, come to Jesus (Revelation 22:17). If you are lost, come to salvation and the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). Come to Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for you” (Mark 10:45).

Jesus Christ is the only solid foundation for time and eternity. You can put your trust in Him and know that you will not be disappointed or put to shame (1 Peter 2:6).

 Things to Do:

• Read and reflect on Psalm 136. How did God show His goodness to Israel?

• Now take some time and consider how God has shown His goodness to you.

• Do you view Jesus as precious, really precious? Does your life reflect it?

• How often do you come to Him? Only in times of need? Before eating dinner or on Sunday morning? Or, is your life a constant, continual coming to Jesus?

• Pray that God would give you a greater desire for Christ—His presence through prayer and the Word.

• For family worship, why not consider the classic “Jesus is Precious” by Bennie Triplett.