When you become a Christian, you become part of a family and a building. Jesus builds the Church (and we’re talking here about churches all over the world, not just us). The Church is founded on the “apostles and prophets” (see Ephesians 2:20 below). The building material he uses is saints. That means everyday Christians. We all become a very special (holy) place for him to live… Which is pretty amazing, when you think about it. We collectively become a house for God.
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
You might think that being God’s house would be a static or boring thing. Houses don’t get to do a lot after all, but God also makes us a priesthood. In the Bible, priests are those who can mediate between people and God. The world desperately needs care by people who God hears and who can bring the message of Jesus’ transforming power to them.
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
