A picture that Peter seems to have appreciated – not simply in his letter but also in Mark’s gospel Ps.118:22 is quoted in the Parable of the Tenants Mk.12:10-11. Then in Acts 4:11 Peter quotes the same verse while answering the authorities begins as he begins preaching he says “This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.”

This building imagery develops what has already been intimated in the OT. There God taught his people that his presence amongst them set them apart from others. He dwelt amongst them firstly in the Tabernacle (Tent of meeting) and then in the Temple. We’ll come back to this later on.

So the term “living stones” conjures up for us the idea of a building project where people rather than bricks are being used to complete the construction. Is that all we can say or does tha Bible contain more information for us?

The OT speaks of stones in various different ways:

1. Altar – Ex.20:25; Deut.27:5-6; Jo.8:31

“uncut or unhewn stones”

No mark of human effort or ingenuity upon the stones as this would only pollute them.

We are to learn from this that in God’s construction of the church man’s efforts/good works have no primary role to play.

To become a “living stone” in God’s building we’re not called to renovate ourselves but to come as we are “Just as I am..”

Acts 20:21 “repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

2. Law – durability and readability – Deut.27:2; Jo.8:32

Stones to be set up, covered with plaster and written upon. This writing to be done clearly:

Deut.27:8 “And you shall write on the stones all the words of this law very plainly.”

The Christian’s life should be similar – lived in harmony with the law of God and easily “read” by others!

3. Memorial or testimony stones

a) Crossing the Jordan – 12 stones taken from the river and set up after the people had all crossed over. Jo.4:20

b) King of Ai Jo.8:30 – he had opposed Israel and the battles at Ai had taught the people the seriousness of setting aside the Lord’s commands. A heap of stones is piled up over the dead king’s body.

c) Ebenezer 1Sam.7:12 Samuel set up this stone as a monument to the Lord as a testimony to the faithfulness and support the Lord had shown in defeating the Philistines “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us”.

“A SOVEREIGN Protector I have,” by Toplady “my glad Ebenezer set up, and own Thou hast helped me till now” (3 hymns in CH use the word Ebenezer – only one of the hymns reworded in Praise! retains it – indicative of declining Biblical awareness amongst us.)

This use of stones was to serve as a visible reminder of what God had done on behalf of his people in the past.

They were not idols to be worshipped but memorials to remind.

They were also to provide occasions of instructing children as they came with their questions: what’s that? Why’s it there? What does it mean?

In the same way each Christian as part of God’s NT building, the church, is to function in this same way. Each of us is to be a monument to God’s grace. As we look at each other in the church we should be moved to consider God’s work in the life of the other person. Nb. Our sheer presence in the church should do this – the primary reference is not to witnessing however laudable that might be.

But in order to be a memorial our lives must have something to which to testify! We must experience God’s grace and receive God’s grace in order to be able to be a testimony to such grace!!

4. Precious stones – there is one last thing to which I wish to draw your attention while talking about stones in the OT.

Ephod - Ex.39:6 – the High Priest was to where as a breastplate the ephod, a garment with 12 precious stones fixed to it. These covered his heart as he entered the Holy place to represent the people before God. Nb. The element of memorial is here. But also of value.

The idea of value is taken up much later when he writes of the final salvation of God’s people: Zech.9:16 “On that day the LORD their God will save them, as the flock of his people; for like the jewels of a crown they shall shine on his land.”

Back to Peter

Peter writes of Christ as “a living stone” the chief cornerstone and God’s building in the NT is fully based upon this stone which is Christ! We cannot and must not try to go beyond the Lord Jesus Christ!

He is our great high priest and he himself is the sacrifice – link to altar.

He is solid, dependable - he is no flash in the pan here today and gone tomorrow – he taught openly and publicly – link to the Law.

He is a testimony too – cf. Rom.5:8 “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

He is precious beyond all measure – the only begotten of the Father!

And Peter uses similar language to describe the Christian! If Christ is “a living stone” Christians are described as “living stones”!

The buildings God used in the OT times spoke to the people of his presence amongst them – it was his presence that made them special! And yet the buildings in the OT served to remind the people that his presence was not readily accessible – the Holy of Holies. But in the NT with the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ the remaining problem of sin has been dealt with. Men and women, boys and girls can come and be added into God’s building.

I need to ask you “Is this true of you?” I need to press you to with warnings! This Christ cannot be avoided – he will be encountered by each and every one of us.

There are two ways to arrive at destruction but only one way of coming to enjoy eternal life.

At the end of the Parable of the tenants as Luke records it we read:

Lu.20:18 “Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”

An active opposition to Christ is like falling upon him – such attacks may look impressive and bold but the end is destruction.

You can also be indifferent to him and ignore him – but you will still encounter him – it will be rather as though this stone falls on you! The result is the same – destruction.

But oh my friend today is a day a grace, the day of salvation. Come to Christ today with repentance and faith – he will not cast you out.

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