JANUARY 7, 2025
“Unto you therefore which believe he is precious.” (I Pet. 2:7)
To believers of all times and all ages, Christ has been most precious. Christ is indeed precious in every sense of the word. Peter uses this word numerous times in the first two chapters of this Epistle. He speaks of the believer’s faith as precious. (Ch. 1:7) He speaks of the blood of Christ as precious. (Ch. 1:19) He speaks of Christ Himself as a precious Savior. The Greek words translated precious have a range of meanings; actually an accumulative range of meanings. These combine to describe the preciousness of our Lord Jesus Christ. A thing may be considered precious for its rarity. Something may be described as precious for its great value, such as a priceless treasure. The word here includes these qualities, with an added emphasis on honorable. Christ is indeed precious for His rarity, being one of a kind without equal. He is of such great value that one is wise to sell all he has that he might possess this priceless treasure (Matt. 13:44); this “pearl of great price.” (Matt. 13:45, 46) As for the latter meaning, our text might read, “Unto you therefore which believe He is an honor.” (Mar.)
Christ was precious to Old Testament saints. Of Abel it is recorded that God had respect to Abel, and to his offering! Notice, God had respect first to Abel, and then to his offering. The reason why God respected Able, was his faith in the seed of woman who was to come as an offering for sin. It was therefore out of his faith in Christ, that he offered an acceptable sacrifice. To Abraham Christ was precious. When he learned that his seed would bring the blessing of salvation to all nations, he believed, and in believing he was counted righteous. Jesus said of him, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.” (John 8:56) Moses, we are told in Hebrew 11:24-26, “refused to be called the son of Pharoah’s daughter…Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt.” King David also saw Christ’s day and called the seed of his own body, “LORD.” (Psa. 110:1)
Christ was precious to those of apostolic times. Many were willing to despise their own life, as it were, and forsaking all, they took up their crosses and follow Christ. The Apostles themselves had willingly forsaken all; their nets, their former life, their positions; some, very lucrative, and follow Christ, counting Him more precious than all else. Not only did they leave their professions; they, as well as many others, counted not their own lives dear compared to the preciousness of Christ. Their blood, along with the blood of countless other martyrs flowed for sake of Christ and the Church.
Christ is still just as precious to all true believers in our day. There are silent sufferers in many places today. To assemble with their brothers and sisters they must be willing to jeopardize their well-being and that of their families. How such examples shame us who forsake the assembly for no reason. Christ is also apparently precious to believers who are bold in their witness for Christ in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation; in the midst of family members, neighbors and friends who love not Christ and His Gospel. Christ is more precious than their dearest earthly ties. Christ is precious to all who give their all for Him. Paul said, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Rom. 12:1)
Should you be asked, “What is thy beloved more than another beloved?” How would you answer? All who love the Lord Jesus Christ will have a ready answer: “My beloved is…the chiefest among ten thousand.” “His mouth is most sweet, yea, he is altogether lovely.” (Song of Sol. 5:9, 10, 16)
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