1 Peter 2:2-10 (NRSV)
Read 1 Peter 2:2-10 on biblegateway.com
Verse 2Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation- Verse 3if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Verse 4Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God's sight, and Verse 5like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Verse 6For it stands in scripture: "See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame." Verse 7To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner," Verse 8and "A stone that makes them stumble, and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. Verse 9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Verse 10Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Devotion
In Christ, we are a community of believers. In 1 Peter, this faithful group of people are invited to become a part of something that is much larger than themselves. Most important about being part of this faith community is how we live, as living stones, in this spiritual house that God has provided for us.
Our purpose as part of this “royal priesthood” isn’t to boast about being the chosen race, but rather to live a life that reflects God’s mercy and light—to serve with kindness and be compassionate to all people. How we respond to others, despite our differences, reflects our becoming who we are embodied to be, God’s people, called to share hope in a world that is searching for community.
Living out our faith we respond through service, justice, and compassion for our neighbor, taking advantage of opportunities to share the Good News with others, with God as our Cornerstone, our Rock, and our Redeemer.
Prayer
God of all communities, surround us with your mercy and grace as we work to build up the very foundation that you laid. We are a hopeful people of God, precious stones that have come alive through you. Amen.
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