I've been reminiscing a lot lately about my time in the Holy Land. Several friends just returned from a trip and they have been posting pictures on Facebook. It makes me miss those days meandering through the streets of Jerusalem on my own, pausing to read the signs, reflect, and notice what was easily missed when on a short tour. (I'm also still grieving a bit since our trip for May was postponed. I was really looking forward to returning to my second home!)
One of the images that still boggles my mind is reflected in the picture above. These are the foundation stones of the Temple built by King Herod. He started rebuilding the Temple area (expanding to almost double what it had been before) around 30BCE. These cornerstones I'm standing next to are over 4' high, 5-6' deep and more than 25' long. They were taken from a quarry on the other side of Jerusalem, chosen, carved and carefully put into place, where they have been every since. (Some of these stones are even larger. One of them, near the northwest corner is more than 35' long and weighs more than 3 fully loaded 747's!)
I think of these stones when I hear the passage from 1 Peter 2:6 (quoting Isaiah) “Thus it is written in scripture, Look! I am laying a cornerstone in Zion, chosen, valuable. The person who believes in him will never be shamed.” (1 Peter 2:6, CEB) Cornerstones are more aesthetic today than functional. They are symbolic of real cornerstones that create firm foundations for what is built on top of them. It's very clear that Peter is referring to Jesus, chosen, shaped and firmly put in place to be the foundation for all humanity. He even takes it one step further, that just as Jesus was chosen, so are we, to build a life on this immovable, permanent foundation.
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people who are God’s own possession. You have become this people so that you may speak of the wonderful acts of the one who called you out of darkness into his amazing light.” (1 Peter 2:9, CEB)
Just like these foundation stones, we have been chosen, are being carved and shaped, so that we may be key parts of a spiritual house that cannot be shaken or destroyed.
While I don't like being "carved and shaped" very much, I know God has greater purpose in it; and I can rest assured that I'm on a firm foundation that isn't going anywhere.
And so can you.
Peace ><>
Pastor Chris
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