Coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house. – 1 Peter 2:4-5
Christ is the one vine, while we, His disciples, are the branches. Jesus describes this word picture in John 15:5: “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit.” Fruit always reflects the nature of the tree it’s growing on. Fruit is always visible, and it’s always for the benefit of somebody else. Only in Christ can we produce this kind of fruit.
Another word picture that describes Jesus Christ is that of the foundation and cornerstone. “No man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11). Jesus Christ is to be the cornerstone that supports our foundation, the basis for all we are and do, so that even when storms come, we can stand strong in Him.
Christ is also seen as the bridegroom in Scripture, and His bride is the church. He will purify His church so that she will be without blemish, “that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing” (Ephesians 5:27).
Finally, Jesus is our great High Priest who intercedes on our behalf. Hebrews 7:24-25 says that Jesus “holds His priesthood permanently. . . He always lives to make intercession for them.” He is the mediator who goes before God for us and made a pleasing and acceptable sacrifice of His own self to pay for our sins.
Be encouraged—He is interceding for you even now.
