461. 1PE 2:4. CHRIST THE LIVING AND PRECIOUS STONE
1Pe_2:4. Christ The Living And Precious Stone
"To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious." 1Pe_2:4.
This passage evidently refers to Christ. And is quite similar language to that employed by the psalmist more than a thousand years before, when he sang of Messiah in Psa_118:22. The verses following the text refer to a passage in the prophecy of Isa_28:16. Let us notice,
I. The Description given of Christ.
A living stone, &c.
II. Men’s Rejection of this Stone.
Disallowed of men.
III. God’s Respect to this Stone
Chosen of God and precious.
IV. The Sinner’s Duty and Interest:’97
Viz. coming to this stone.
I. The Description given of Christ.
A living stone, &c. Often represented as a stone.
1. A stone.
(1) As expressive of the strength and power of Christ. Created things are like the sand,’97fleeting,’97gliding,’97uncertain. Christ possesses all power. "All power is given," &c. He gave repeated displays of it on earth. He exerted it on obstinate diseases,’97on the furious storm,’97on the dead,’97and also on devils, &c. "He is able to save to the uttermost," &c.
(2) Expressive of his firmness and durability. Stone is not like corruptible things, as hay, straw, or stubble. He is a rock’97the rock of ages. Nothing can affect him; no change or commotion. Time has worn down the marble column, and undermined the foundations of Babylon and Nineveh, &c.
2. Living stone
(1) He has life in himself. He is the source of life. All life emanates from him. He is the true and living God. The being in whom we live, &c. All nature lives in him, &c. Especially spiritual life. Only source of spiritual life. "I am the way;" &c.
(2) It denotes the feeling of Christ. He is not insensible. He is not unconscious, &c. No. He feels for us’97knows our wretchedness,’97sees our misery’97can hear our groans, &c. He is alive to all the circumstances connected with our state Notice,
II. Men’s Rejection of this Stone.
"Disallowed of men." This refers to the Jews. They would not receive him. Denied his Messiahship, and despised his miracles. Rejected his doctrines, and put him to death, Mat_21:42; Act_4:11.
Why did they reject him? For want or evidence? No. Never man did what he did. He appeared the very person, &c. described in their scriptures, &c. It was pride, producing unbelief, and then malice, &c. He did not appear as they desired. He did not preach as they desired. He did not promise as they desired. Therefore they would not allow him or approve of him, &c. But Christ is still disallowed of men,’97still of the Jews, Mahomedans, infidels,’97still by all unbelievers,’97lovers of the world. They do not admire his doctrines,’97are offended at the sacrifice he requires, &c.
III. God’s respect to this Stone.
Chosen of God, &c. Two things.
1. Chosen of God.
(1) Originally selected. Originally selected for the great enterprise. God fixed upon his Son’97called him forth, as the only fit personage for the stupendous undertaking.
(2) God was pleased with him. He answered his expectations. He told the multitude this at Jordan; the disciples this, at the mount of transfiguration, &c.
(3) When he had finished his work, he was accepted of God; he raised him from the dead, &c.
2. Precious.
This also refers to God. He was always precious in his Father’s eyes. His eternal delight, &c. But expressly as Mediator.
(1) His name was precious. God exalted it above every name, &c.
(2) His doctrines. "Hear ye him."
(3) His sacrifices. It met all the in finite claims of justice and purity.
(4) His person. Hence he says, "Let all the angels of God worship him," and "Sit thou on my right hand," &c. Ob serve,
IV. The Sinner’s Duty and Interest.
To whom coming. This implies
1. Scriptural knowledge of Christ.
We must know him, as scripturally revealed. Have we proper views of his person and of his work, &c.
2. A feeling sense of our need of Christ.
That we are at a distance, and that as such we are unhappy, unsafe; that we have destroyed ourselves, and in Christ alone is our help.
3. A sincere and hearty approval of Christ.
Receiving his doctrines as the word of life. His blood as the meritorious cause of salvation. Leaving every other source, and trusting all with Christ. "To whom should we go but unto thee," &c.
4. A perpetual resting on and cleaving to Christ.
He is laid as the foundation. We must not only come and see and admire him,’97but build on him, cleave to him, and abide on him. "This God is my God," &c. This is the sinners duty and interest. Christ is the only stone. This the only way to enjoy his benefits.
Application
1. To disallowers. Rejectors of Christ. How foolish. How infatuated. How ruinous, &c. It is to reject pardon, happiness, salvation.
2. To believers. O value this stone. Rest constantly upon it. All here is secure. Secure in time, in death, and forever.
3. To inquirers. Those who are coming to it, we say, be decided, exercise faith in it. Cast all upon it, and live forever.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS