Three times Peter refers to the preciousness of Christ. The word used there means, ‘costly', ‘prized', ‘honoured' or ‘highly esteemed'.

         Lord Jesus Christ is precious to His Father . Even as He was being rejected, despised and looked down, Father looked upon Him with high regard, as He was His dear Son. Father closely associated with Him in His movements. As we have already seen, twice the Father declared His appreciation for His son. The only time Father left Him was when Christ was bearing the sin of the whole world. He did not respond to His cry “ My God, My God why has thou forsaken me?” In those darkest hours the Son of God became a substitute for man, taking our place, our sin and its curse on His body.

         But we see after He became an atoning sacrifice for our sin, God the Father raised Him from the dead and exalted above all. It was another declaration of His pleasure in the Son of God. Romans 1:4. Act. 2:32 , 33; 4:11, 12.

         He is precious to the believers as well. V. 7. Unbelievers fail to see any worth in Christ, but believers find Him ‘fairest on ten thousand' and ‘ altogether lovely '. Songs 5:10, 16.

6. Touchstone. V. 6c. cf. Isa. 28:16

         It is not mentioned specifically but the idea is found there. Once again we should notice that the way Peter loosely translates the words of Isaiah. Peter writes, “ And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.” Actually Isaiah wrote, “ Whoever believes will not act hasty.” How can we connect both the sentences?

         Isaiah said those who trust this corner stone – Christ - will not act hastily. They will have no need to run away in hurry. Peter writes the reason for such swift action, due to shame or fear. Every one who rejects Christ and do not trust Him will have to face fear, shame and judgment. That shows Christ as a stone is the touchstone that determines our destiny.

7. Stumbling stone. V. 8

         The disobedient and unbelieving ones will stumble at Him. As they listen to the words of Christ yet deliberately choosing to refuse and disobey Him, standing in their path, the Lord Jesus Christ will keep on pleading with them to trust Him. But they will find Him as a disturbance, just as a stumbling stone lying on the roadside. As blind men, they will stumble at the Lord in their unbelief and injure themselves.

         Yes, no one can avoid the Lord Jesus Christ, either they will have to accept Him as their Lord and saviour, or reject Him out rightly. There is no other option. One can not say, ‘I don't accept or reject'. There can not be a neutral position in regard to Christ. Either we are believers or unbelievers. Either Christ is a precious stone for us or a stumbling stone.

         It has been appointed that all those who disbelieve and disobey Christ will have to suffer judgment. V. 8c.

8. Breaking stone. Matt. 21:44

         There are two other scripture portions where we see Christ is referred metaphorically as a stone. It is good to consider these versus also while we see the various truths about the person of Christ as a ‘stone'.

         “And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.” Matt. 21:44

         In this verse the Lord refers to two things about this stone: He is a breaking stone . This stone is on the ground and a fall on it will break one. This speaks about the way we shall be broken by falling at His feet in contrition and commitment. God is always near to those who are of a broken heart. Psa. 34:18.

9. Grinding stone. Matt. 21:44

         If one is not willing to fall at His feet and be broken, the stone itself will fall on such ones and they shall be crushed under it. It speaks of the judgment that is going to fall upon the rebellious. The same idea is found in Isaiah's words, “a rock of offense”. Isaiah 8:14c. cf. 1 Peter. 2:8b.

         It is better to fall on this stone and be broken before too late, than to be crushed under this great grinding stone- Christ in His judgment. Cf. 2Samuel. 24:14.

10. Smiting stone. Daniel. 2:34, 35, 44, 45