Our passage today invites us to consider something profound about our identity in Christ. It begins by reminding us of Jesus, the “living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God, precious.” He is the cornerstone, the very foundation of everything. But then, Peter turns this truth towards us, saying, “You also, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house.” This means that because of Jesus, we are not just observers; we are integral parts of God’s grand design, intimately connected to Him.
More than just being part of a spiritual building, our passage reveals an incredible privilege: we are called “to be a holy priesthood.” Think about that for a moment. In the Old Testament, only specific people from a certain lineage could serve as priests, acting as intermediaries between God and the people. But through Jesus’ perfect sacrifice on the cross, that has completely changed. Every single believer, every one of us who trusts in Him, is now part of this holy priesthood.
What does a priest do? They offer sacrifices. But Peter says we are to “offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” This isn't about animal sacrifices or complex rituals anymore. Our spiritual sacrifices are our worship, our prayers, our acts of service, our daily lives lived in devotion to God. The crucial part is that these sacrifices are made “acceptable to God *through Jesus Christ*.” His work on the cross is what makes our offering, and us, fully acceptable in God’s sight.
This truth should free us from any idea that we need a special person, a specific object, or a monetary payment to gain God's favor or get our prayers heard. Jesus has opened the way directly for us. As the Scripture says, “He who believes in him will not be disappointed.” Our access to God is direct, personal, and complete because of Christ. We don't need intermediaries; we are the priesthood, empowered to approach God ourselves with boldness and confidence.