WEEK 3 // DAY 1

COME TO THE LIVING STONE

Peter begins this picture of the church with three simple words: “As you come to him.” Before he talks about what God is building, where you belong, or what purpose you have, Peter points us toward Jesus. Everything begins with coming to him. Christianity is not primarily an invitation to adopt a set of ideas, attend religious events, or improve your behavior. It is an invitation into relationship with the living Jesus. He is the One around whom God is building everything.

Peter calls Jesus the “living Stone.” A stone is solid, dependable, and foundational. Yet Jesus is not a lifeless foundation. He is alive. The same Jesus who was crucified has been raised from the dead. He is the source of the living hope Peter described earlier in his letter, and now Peter says that this living Jesus is also the foundation of a new people God is creating. Jesus was rejected by people, but that rejection did not change God’s verdict about him. He remained chosen and precious to God. Human opinion did not determine Jesus’ value or his place in God’s plan.

Peter then immediately says, “you also, like living stones…” Your life begins taking its shape from Jesus. You do not find your deepest identity in whether other people approve of you, understand you, or recognize your value. You come to the One who was himself rejected, yet chosen and precious. As you remain connected to Jesus, his life begins shaping yours. You become part of something much larger than your individual spiritual journey.

Thankfully, Peter does not say you are simply a stone - but a living stone. God has not rescued you so that you can occupy a place passively. The life of Christ is now at work in you. You can pray, serve, encourage, forgive, welcome, give, proclaim, and love because Jesus is alive and his Spirit is active within you. Your relationship with Christ is meant to become visible through the life you live.

Before you think about what you should accomplish for God, come again to Jesus. Bring him your fear, distraction, questions, and unfinished places. Stay close to Jesus, and allow the life he gives you to shape the way you enter your home, workplace, school, neighborhood, and relationships. Let him remind you that he is steady when life is not. Let his resurrection remind you that rejection and suffering never have the final word. Then allow his living presence to become visible through you today.