OCT. 16, 2013
Coade
Stone
Read: 1
Peter 2:1-10
Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen
by God and precious. —1
Peter 2:4
Throughout
London, there are statues and other items made from a unique building material
called Coade stone. Developed by Eleanor Coade for her family business in the
late 1700s, this artificial stone is virtually indestructible and has the
capacity to withstand time, weather, and man-made pollution. Though it was a
marvel during the Industrial Revolution, Coade stone was phased out in the
1840s following Eleanor’s death, and it was replaced by Portland cement as a
building material. In spite of that, however, there remain today dozens of
examples of this sturdy, ceramic-like stone that have withstood the harsh
London environment for over 150 years.
The
apostle Peter described Jesus as a living stone. He wrote, “Coming to Him as to
a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you
also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house” (1 Peter 2:4-5).
Precious in the eyes of the Father is the sacrifice of the Rock of our
salvation. Christ is the enduring stone upon which the Father has built our
salvation and the only foundation for meaningful life (1 Cor. 3:11).
It
is only as our lives are built upon His strength that we will be able to endure
the harshness of life in a fallen world.
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name. —Mote
We have nothing to fear if we stay close to the Rock of Ages.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
