Access Through Christ's Finished Work

Our passage today beautifully pictures Jesus as the "living stone," chosen by God and precious, even though many people rejected him. He is the very foundation of God’s plan. Just as he is foundational, we who believe in him are also described as "living stones." We are not scattered pieces but are being built up together, forming a "spiritual house," a community where God’s presence dwells and His people serve. But the text goes further, declaring that this spiritual house is meant "to be a holy priesthood." Think about what this means for you. In times past, only a select few from a particular family, the Levites, could draw near to God in specific ways, acting as go-betweens. They offered sacrifices on behalf of the people. But through Jesus Christ, everything changed. His perfect sacrifice on the cross opened a new and living way directly to God for all believers. We no longer need human intermediaries to approach God for us, nor do we need special items prayed over by others to secure God’s favor or blessings. Jesus’ sacrifice was complete and sufficient, removing every barrier. As this "holy priesthood," we are called "to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." These are not animal offerings or money given to buy a miracle. Our spiritual sacrifices include our sincere worship, our praise, our prayers, our daily obedience, and our acts of kindness shown to our neighbours. Indeed, it is the offering of our whole lives to God. The vital truth here is that these sacrifices are made "acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." It is His finished work alone that makes our offerings pleasing to God, not the amount of money we sow, or the power of a specific prayer language, or the supposed holiness imbued into an object. His sacrifice was truly enough. This profound truth should free us from any burden that we need extra steps, special men, or blessed items to connect with God or receive His blessing. It strongly affirms that Jesus’ sacrifice was utterly complete and forever sufficient. It opened the way directly for you and for me, making us priests ourselves. As you face today, remember this incredible privilege. You are a living stone, part of God’s spiritual house, and a holy priest with direct, confident access to Him. Let us live in the light of this freedom, offering our lives as a constant spiritual sacrifice to Him who has done everything for us.