Not only was the Temple central to the Jewish worldview, so also was their ethnic identity as the nation of Israel. But notice that Peter says that the “living stones,” (the church, which is built upon Jesus), are not only the true Temple but are also the true Israel, the true people of God. He says, “You are the chosen race, you are a royal priesthood, you are a holy nation, you are a people for God’s own possession.”

Through Jesus and in Jesus a whole new community is being built, and it isn’t being built based on race or status or privilege. Instead, it is being built on the basis of one’s trust in Jesus and His life, death, and resurrection. This is what our world needs to hear this Advent season. It needs to hear that all the other “communities,” whatever they may be, are mere parodies of this one true community that is founded on Jesus Christ, and it is the community where the living God makes His home.

How will they hear this message if we, the community of Jesus, the Temple of the Living God, are not proclaiming His excellencies in word and deed to the world?