Ok . . . so frozen yogurt has hit the radar of the Corak family in the past few months. There’s a couple of “fro yo” places near us . . . both offer multiple flavors . . . you pick and choose . . . mmmm, good! And here’s the real cool part . . . the dispensing machines are set up with three levers. One to dispense one flavor . . . another to dispense a different flavor . . . and then, there’s the one in the middle, which blends the flavors together and creates a delectable swirl. Mmmm . . .

I came across something in my reading this morning where the ESV translation gives a very different “flavor” than other translations. At first, I’m a bit tempted to try and figure out which one is right . . . but then, I realize that there is truth in both ways of understanding the original intent . . that the truth and subsequent implications of both renderings are profitable for my consideration . . . that both “flavors” are good — and really, really good when mixed together. Here’s what I encountered . . .

As you come to Him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 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. For it stands in Scripture: ‘Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame.’ So the honor is for you who believe . . . (1Peter 2:4-7a ESV)

Here’s how it’s rendered in another translation . . . take note of the last phrase . . .

“Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, ‘Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.’ Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious . . . ” (1Peter 2:4-7a NKJV)

See it? The translation I grew up with concludes that “He is precious” . . . He is the object of the conclusion Peter draws. But in the ESV, they see the object as being “you” . . . the believer spoken of in the passage . . . so that “the preciousness” is for you . . . that the honor, or valuing, is something attached to those who come to the Christ, the Living Stone. And, it would seem from the literal translation, that it is kind of left open . . . that to those “who believe, precious.” So . . . there’s the two flavors . . . do I need to pick one or the other? . . . or is there truth in both? . . . can both be enjoyed? . . . do both evoke praise and worship? . . . I’m thinkin’ . . .

To be sure, for those of us who believe, He is precious. That’s the prophetic image given by Isaiah . . . a precious cornerstone, chosen and elect (Isa. 28:16). Jesus is precious to God . . . He is the beloved Son, “in whom I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:17). Of immeasurable value . . . worthy of all honor . . . that’s my Jesus. How precious is He to me? Pretty! Good flavor . . . nice taste . . . worthy of praise.

But consider the ESV rendering . . . that for those who have come to this precious Cornerstone . . . who have been made living stones in the image of THE Living Stone . . . who are being built up as a spiritual house of worship . . . who have been called into duty as a holy priesthood to enter the holy of holies, through Jesus Christ, able to bring spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God . . . to those who receive all this because they believe . . . precious . . . an honor . . . something of immense value. “So the honor is for you.”

The privilege is precious. The calling is an honor. “Not because of who I am . . . but because of what He’s done. Not because of what I’ve done . . . but because of who He is” (Casting Crowns, “Who Am I”). Oh, what joy to consider what God desires for those who He has brought into relationship with Himself. If you ask me, another pretty good flavor.

He is precious! Amen and Hallelujah! The calling is an honor and is precious, as well. Thank You, Lord!

Two glorious flavors . . . oh, taste that the Lord is good! Better than a “fro yo” swirl . . . amen?