Stone Soup
1 Peter 2:4-6
You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor. 5 And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. 6 As the Scriptures say, “I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor, and anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”
Do you know the folk tale, “Stone Soup”? It goes something like this.
Once upon a time, a traveler wandered through a poor village. He was hungry, but the people there avoided them because they had so little to share. So he told the villagers that he was going to use a magic stone to make a fine soup—which he wanted to share with everyone.
As a curious crowd watched, the traveler set up a cooking space, started a fire, pulled a large pot out of his suitcase, and filled it with water. He took a stone out of his pocket and put it in the pot.
As the water began to simmer, he ventured, “This soup will be so good! But of course, it would be better with some carrots.” A villager hesitated… then ran home and got some carrots, adding them to the pot. As he stirred, he said, “What a great soup! If only we had a few potatoes!” Another person went home and came back with potatoes. As the broth began steaming, the man added, “This soup will be excellent. It’s too bad we don’t have any meat.” Soon, someone had added meat to the soup.
The cooking and exclaiming over ingredients continued, and the soup began to smell heavenly. “Let’s eat!” the traveler announced. And everyone enjoyed a hearty, delicious meal together.
One of my favorite lessons from this story is that each one of us has something unique to offer—even if we don’t feel it’s significant. And when we are brave and generous and share what we have with others, together we can create something that will bless us beyond our imagination.
Today’s scripture tells us that we are “priests,” and also “living stones” that are being built into God’s spiritual temple. As you think of living stones, think of a stone building. Each stone can be used to make it bigger and stronger. But a missing stone weakens it.
The same is true for each of us as we work with God’s help to build up God’s kingdom here on this earth.
You are a priest. You are a living stone. What might that mean for how you live your life?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you are the Cornerstone of God’s temple and the foundation of my faith. Show me how to use the gifts you’ve blessed me with to help build your kingdom, I pray. Amen.