February 24 THE PRECIOUS STONE "Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious" (1 Peter 2:4, NKJV). The imagery of the stone effectively portrays our Saviour in various roles. Each portrait highlights a special characteristic of Jesus. This figure depicts the prominence, permanence, and durability of the rock, Christ Jesus. The apostle Peter repeatedly identifies Christ with the stone. In today's passage, He is the stone that is chosen and precious (see 1 Peter 2:4). To the redeemed, Jesus is indeed a chosen, precious, living stone. He is selected by God Himself to be the unique stone among the living stones that comprise God's spiritual temple. To the believer, as to Peter, Christ is the precious stone of infinite value. He is more precious than all the gems and precious stones in all the mines of earth. He is the precious stone of preeminent value, surprising beauty, infinite value, and permanent durability. Jesus as the precious stone, is invaluable, peerless, and priceless. As the chosen of God, He is the choicest as well as the loveliest. Everything about Jesus is precious. His redeeming blood is precious. His saving grace is precious, His promises are precious. His words are precious, and His friendship is precious. He is altogether precious to His redeemed people. As "living stones" in God's temple (1 Peter 2:5), we are daily being built into the spiritual, indestructible edifice of the church. "By connection with Christ, the living stone, all who build upon this foundation become living stones. Without this connection, no man can be saved."--The Desire of Ages, p. 599. My Prayer Today: Lord, help me as a living stone to grow daily into the likeness of Christ, the precious stone. Amen.