1 Peter 2:6-8

“Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.” Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.”

Along with the direct quotations from Psalm 118 and Isaiah 8, this theme reminds me of Psalm 2.

Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us break their bonds in pieces and cast away their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, and distress them in His deep displeasure: “Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion.”….Now therefore, be wise, O kings, be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all who put their trust in Him.

I love the picture of God the Father placing Jesus as a chief cornerstone. I also love the way the psalmist describes this action in Psalm 2, “I have set my King on Zion.” This brings me great peace and security amidst a chaotic and frightening world. The nations will rage, and many will reject the chief cornerstone; nevertheless, the gates of hades will not prevail against the spiritual building known as the church. Though many stumble over Christ Jesus and are offended because of Him, He remains our foundation and the judge of all. There is no power that can prevail against the holy priesthood of the church precisely because of the sovereignty of the High Priest.

We could pontificate about why so many stumble and are offended because of Christ. Perhaps it is because they expected the Isaiah 9 Messiah and not the Isaiah 53 Lamb who appeared so humble and weak. Perhaps it is because He offended their religious legalism. There are a whole host of reasons, but the truth remains that they are disobedient. I am interested as to why Peter uses the word disobedient rather than unbelieving. Notice the contrast he presents with the words “believe,” and “disobedient,” when we might expect “unbelieving.” Also, note the end of verse 8 as this brings me more faith in the Messiah no matter the circumstances; “they stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.” Their disobedience, a supposed action against the sovereignty which they long to reject, is merely the action of a pawn doing the bidding of the one in control. The Lord is not surprised or threatened by this disobedience.

This is definitely a challenging text with many issues to discuss, but let us take away at the very least the wonderful and untouchable power of God. His plan is perfect, and it is not in danger from those who hate that plan. As we live in these chaotic last days, let us cling to the chief cornerstone, the one over whom many will stumble.