Human beings love using metaphors, comparisons between two things that are unlike to bring out some special way in which they are alike. In I Peter 2:4-12, the author piled on a series of metaphors and quotations from the Old Testament to explain, first, who Christ is and, second, who Christians are. The first metaphor he used was that Christ is a living stone, the cornerstone in fact. Christians in turn are built upon him as living stones and are also a chosen race, a holy and royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, and God’s people. All of these privileges are the result of God’s mercy not of Christian’s merit.
Jesus fulfilled the entire Old Testament by suffering, rising from the dead, and having forgiveness preached to all the nations.
Because they questioned and rejected Jesus’ authority, the chief priests were removed from their post and replaced by others from all the nations.
While Leviticus makes for difficult reading for people today, it contains a simple message that everyone needs to learn: God is holy, so we...