WEDNESDAY September 9, 2026

Precious Jesus

Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.
1 Peter 2:7-8

Peter continued to define and dissect the Word of God. As believers, we count Jesus as precious; but others, in their disobedience, reject Him. Through the sin of unbelief, the religious leaders––the Pharisees and Sadducees––rejected Jesus; they hated Him. Nonbelievers find Him offensive to their lives––a stone of stumbling––a Rock of offense. Again, people not only reject Jesus Christ, but they also stumble over Him. This refers once more to Isaiah 8:14: He [Jesus] will be as a sanctuary, but a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, as a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Jesus is to be viewed as precious––a precious, living stone––the Cornerstone. Yet when given the choice to accept Him, many people today choose to reject Him. For years, people have turned their backs and walked away from Jesus, when He only desires to save them from their sin and give them eternal life.

Listen, the only chance to receive salvation is while we are here on this earth. God gives people that opportunity during their lifetime. They could live twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, sixty, or even a hundred years; but know this: ...it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment... (Hebrews 9:27). Death will come for everybody, and then we have to give an account for our lives. After you take your last breath, there will be no more opportunities to accept Jesus as your Savior––it is a done deal.

Take into consideration that when you do become a Christian, expect to be rejected by people. Do not feel bad; Jesus was rejected, too, and we know that we are no better than Him. Jesus said: If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you” (John 15:18). Take heart!

...those who chose to reject God during their lifetime on earth will be separated from him for eternity. This is not God’s desire, but man’s own choice. God holds every man accountable for his rejection of Christ.
~Billy Graham~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!