We often hear people make the statement, “I am going to build this or that.” It does not matter what it is, a farm, a store, a house, a business, a relationship, or any plethora of things.
The list can go on and on. But what do all these things have in common with each other? Is it an idea? Is it someone who is sitting around thinking, “Hmm, I think I am going to build this?” Possibly.
But the key is that they all must start with a beginning. They all must be based upon something, but what is that something? Is it greed only to see what they can get out of it and what benefits them the most?
Is it the desire for personal pleasure and/or personal gain? Is it contempt or hatred of something or someone to see how much it may hurt someone else?
The Call to Examine Our Lives
Some people base their lives on astrology, on their horoscope, on Tarot cards, or even on mood rings. Some of you might remember mood rings. Those were the rings that changed color. The colors displayed a person’s attitude, their feelings, or their emotional state of mind.
However, these only look at the temporal, the here and now. But what about the spiritual aspect of life, the everlasting? If you will be patient with me for a few moments, we will take a trip through the Bible to look at a few passages of Scripture.
So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic (Isaiah 28:16).
If you are planning to build anything, paying little heed to what it is, you must have a firm base. Isaiah talks about a “foundation stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation,” which will be laid in Zion.
The Messiah is the cornerstone upon which our lives are built. Is our life built on the shaky foundation of our own ambitions or successes? Or does it rest on a solid base, a firm foundation?
The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone (Psalm 118:22).
When Jesus talked about being rejected by His own people, He was referencing this verse (Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10-11; Luke 20:17).
Jesus is now the “Chief Cornerstone,” the church’s most significant component, despite His being rejected by many (Acts 4:11; Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:6-7).
Jesus looked directly at them and asked, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written: “‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’? (Luke 20:17).
“The stone that the builders rejected” is what Jesus calls Himself. However, dismissed by a lot of the Jewish leaders and His own people, He would become the foundation, the cornerstone, of a new structure, the church (Acts 4:11).
To ensure that the building’s other stones were level and straight, the cornerstone served as a base. In a similar vein, the church’s standard of truth would be the life and teachings of Jesus.
The stone that joins two walls at a building’s corner and holds the structure together is known as the “head of the corner.”
Peter said that the Jews rejected Jesus, but Peter says that Jesus is the foundation of the church (Psalm 118:22; Mark 12:10). The church could not survive without Christ, for without Him, there would be no church.
Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20).
Jesus As Our Foundation
What is the significance here of remaining on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets? It implies that the congregation is not based on modern idealistic thoughts in the present day. However, it is based on the profound legacy given to us in the Old Testament and the New Testament, with Jesus being the center of it all (Romans 9:31-33).
In some cases, we resemble these individuals, attempting to get right with God by keeping His laws. We might feel that church participation, church work, giving donations, and being a pleasant person will be sufficient.
We have been following the rules, right? But Paul’s words hurt because this strategy never works. He says that God’s plan is for people to recognize that they will never be “good enough” and that they must depend on Christ, not on people who try to win His favor by being good.
Simply by placing our faith in what Christ has done, we will be saved. We will not be (“ashamed”) disheartened if we do that.
The Jews’ commendable goal was to give God honor. Unfortunately, they attempted to accomplish it in the incorrect way, by inflexibility and careful dutifulness to the Law. Some of them turned out to be more devoted to the Law than to God.
They believed that if they kept rigid obedience to the Law, God was obligated to acknowledge them as His chosen people. However, you cannot manipulate and steer God into doing what you want Him to do.
The Jews were blind to the fact that their own religious writings, the Old Testament, emphasized salvation through faith rather than effort (Genesis 15:6).
Jesus was the “stumbling stone.” Because He did not live up to their expectations of a Messiah, the Jews did not believe in Him. Because they do not understand salvation by faith, some people still stumble over Christ.
They would rather try to work their way to God or wait for Him to overlook their transgressions, which He will not do. Others stagger over Christ since His values are contrary to the world's values.
Jesus looks for humbleness and lowliness, and many are reluctant to lower themselves before Him. Many people refuse to submit to Jesus' command to do what He commands (1 Peter 2:6-8).
Living a Life of Purpose and Kingdom Impact
At times, we will confront disillusionment in this life, yet placing our faith in God is not misguided. God will not forsake us. The promise of everlasting life is sure. We can securely place our faith and trust in Him.
Certainly, Peter frequently thought about Jesus’ words to him just after he admitted what and who Jesus was.
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it (Matthew 16:16-18).
What is the stone that is so profoundly important in the structure of the church? Peter states that it is Christ Himself. What are the attributes of Christ, the Cornerstone?
Firstly, He is dependable; secondly, He is valuable to all believers; and thirdly, however dismissed by some, He is the most important piece of the church (Isaiah 28:16; Ephesians 2:20).
Jesus Christ is referred to as “a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense” (Isaiah 8:14; Romans 9:32-33). Some people will stagger (stumble) over Him since they reject Him or decline to accept that He is who He says He is (Matthew 21:42).
Yet Psalm 118:22 says that “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” the main piece of God’s building, which is the church.
Similarly, individuals of today’s era who will not trust in Christ have committed the greatest error in their lives.
They have staggered and stumbled over the only One who could save them and give them significance to their lives. So now, they have fallen into the hands of God for judgment.
For further reading:
What Does it Mean That God Is the Rock of Salvation?
What Does it Mean to Be Sowers for Jesus Today?
What Did Jesus Mean ‘On This Rock I Will Build My Church’?
Photo Credit: Unsplash/Ryan Clark
