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
Young people have often been admonished by parents and teachers to "make something of yourself." These words usually imply something like: By dint of hard work, well-directed ambition and shrewd choices climb to the top. That's the only legitimate goal for life.
But here in Peter's first letter we hear described a group of people (could it be that we are among them?) who are already at the very top of the heap and—what a surprise!—their own efforts and achievements have nothing to do with their being there. They (we) are lifted up, they (we) are exalted by virtue of living in the loving embrace of the Lord of all. First felt when we were baptized, God’s loving care is our hope and our security for time and for eternity.
But, God has chosen us not only for our own benefit, but that we may be proclaimers of His mercy and love for all who will call on His name. We are asked to open the door at every opportunity so that others may come in—what a high and holy calling!
Prayer
Gracious Father, may our words and our deeds show forth your love for all humankind. In Jesus' name, Amen.