The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Peter — Section 122

cm,ing for milk; so we are to have a strong craving for tho Word. Babes are con- stituted with a strong craving for milk, thnt their growth may go forward; so wo are to ham a strong craving for the Word, that our higher development may go forward, which is to issue in salvation (both the elimination of all evil elements and the acqui- sition of all good elements). From the connection the teaching is that we are thus to see to our individua.l development for the sake of the society to which we belong. We owe it to Christians ccllectively that we grow individually, 3, .Appetite/or the Word encouraged. "If ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious." 'l'be language is based on Ps. xxxiv. 8. It is to be observed that "the Lord" of the psalmist is here taken to be Christ (as appears from the following verse). There is kindness displayed in the nourishment that is provided for babes; so there is the kindness of Christ dis- played in what is provided for us in the Word. As the Word, or Divine Revealer, Christ is also the Divine Nourisher. Christians are those who know this, not merely by report, but by experience. They have "tasted that the Lord is gracious." .And Peter goes upon the supposition that those who have tasted once will desire to ta.sto <Lgain, and will not be easily satisfied. II. THE HIGIIER ISRAEL. 1. Characterization under -temple imagery in relation to Christ. (1) Way in which we are related to 01,rist. "Unto whom coming." With this there is transition to new imagery. The language is genera.I; yetitwas frequently associated with the going up of worshippers to the temple. We are to make our npproach to Christ for union to him and communion with him; and our approach to him is to be habitual, that with stronger union there may be closer communion. (2) Representa- tion that is given of Christ. ".A living Stone, rejected indeed of men, but with God elect, precious." This is a very striking though homely image applied to the most wonderful event or series of events in history. Let us call up the scene from which the language is ta.ken. A building is being erected amid dust and rubbish and confused noises. The builders are ever wanting stones for each new place as it arises in the building, and search about among what are laid down for them. One stone they all pass by because of some defect or blemish that it has in their eyes. You can see, from the way in which they treat it, that it is not deemed worthy to ha.ve even an obscure place in the building. Bnt the architect comes and sees to this stone, which was to have no place, being put into the place of honour. It becomes, as we sha.11 see afterwards from its designation, the most important stone in the building. Now, the great archetypal building which is being erected-that of which every building, common or sacred, is a type, that of which the Jewish temple was in a special manner a type-is the Church. The Jewish rulers were employed by God in carrying out his purposes of love and mercy toward the race. They were the builders, having subordinately the selecting and pre- paring of the stones and the putting them into their places. In this first introduction of the imagery they are not directly referred to; it is simply men that are mentioned. But in accordance with Ps. cxviii. 22, afterwards quoted, we must think of men repre- sentatively, Le. iu the builders, Christ was a living Stone, i.e. he was absolutely in living significance a.11 that a stone can be in a building. Be came before the eyes of tho builders with extraordinary claims, with most exalted ideas, with a most wonderful manifestation of love. He was as a stone laid down for them, and they could not but pass Aome judgment upon him. What they did (and not merely in their own name, but as representing men) vras to reject him even to crucifying him. We see him the "despised and rejected of men" in being a Stone rejected of the builders. He was to be of no use in the Church or theocracy with which these had to do. Ay, they thought that they were relegating him in God's uame to a. different fate altogether. But what wa.s despised among men was highly esteemed with God. So in striking contrast with the human judgment, it is said here-" with God elect; precious," i.e. he was the great Object of electing love, and bad all the qualities on which the Divine approbation could rest. .And God, having allowed men to go so far, takes things out of their hands, and, in accordance with his ancient design as to the ordering of things in his Ohurch, instates Christ in the place of highest honour and serviceableness, making him, as we are now to see, the Stone in which we are built up. (3) What we are in relation to Ghrist. "Ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, to be s. holy priest- hood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." Very beautiful is the way in which we are called "living stones" along with Christ. Wo as. n. 1~25.J THE l!'IRST EPISTLE GENERAL OF PETER. 117