Identity
6 For it stands in scripture: "See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame." 7 To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner," 8 and "A stone that makes them stumble, and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (1 Peter 2:6-10)
Jesus was Jewish, and this heritage came with faith and traditions intended to set God's people apart as an example of God's faithfulness to humanity. As proof that this God-originated relationship was never intended to be exclusive, God - through Jesus - created a way that the rest of us, gentiles, could be grafted into the family of God.
The letter, 1 Peter, is generally believed to have been written to non-Jewish followers of Jesus - followers of The Way. As gentiles, theses followers did not have the benefit of the history, traditions, and the knowledge of belonging that the Jewish followers had. Most Christians today are also not of Jewish heritage, and we too need to be reminded that we are claimed by God. Furthermore, we need to be reminded that we are not claimed for our own sake, but so that we can proclaim to others that God's goodness and mercy extends to them as well.
In Genesis 17, God had promised to make an aged, fatherless man named Abram the father of many nations. Then in Genesis 26, God promised Isaac, the son of Abram (by then, renamed Abraham) that his descendants - and, therefore, God's people - would be as numerous as the stars and that, through them, all the nations of the world would be blessed. We are those descendants. We are claimed and covered by our gracious God. We are a part of God's family and we are called to proclaim God's mighty acts to all!
1 In you, O LORD, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me. 2 Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me. 3 You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name's sake lead me and guide me, 4 take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge. 5 Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God. 15 My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors. 16 Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love.
(Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16)
