IS JESUS THE CORNERSTONE OF YOUR LIFE?
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“From Judah will come the Cornerstone.” – Zechariah 10:4 –
Old Testament prophecy pointed to the promised Messiah… the Cornerstone… the King who would come from the tribe of Judah. The prophets of old spoke of this Mighty One who would rule with justice, righteousness and faithfulness (Isaiah 11:5). All prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the King of Kings.
“This is what the Lord God says: ‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken.’” – Isaiah 28:16
In architecture, a cornerstone is of primary importance to the integrity of a building. It is the essential part of its foundation… the pivotal point upon which the structure rests. If removed, the structure collapses.
In biblical times, the cornerstone was the first stone laid down for the building, marking its correct location and orientation. Placed at the most visible corner of two walls, it became the reference point to which all other stones were aligned.
Jesus is the precious Cornerstone… the sure foundation upon whom we build our lives. Without Him our life collapses. He is the Mighty Rock around whom our lives are oriented. United with Him, we are unshakable.
“You deserted the Rock, who fathered you; you forgot the God who gave you birth.” – Deuteronomy 32:18
Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus seeks to open the eyes of the Jewish leaders. He denounces them for deserting the God of Israel. For they are Israel’s shepherds who have led their people astray. The leaders are looking to their own political prowess and power rather than trusting in Jehovah God.
Jesus recounts a parable to awaken these false shepherds of God’s people…
A landowner plants a vineyard. He places it in the care of tenant farmers while he goes away for a long time. At harvest, he sends his servants to collect the vineyard’s fruit. Each one he sends is beaten, stoned or killed by the farmers.
At last, the landowner sends his beloved son… certain that they will respect his offspring and change their wicked ways. Yet the farmers realize that this is the heir to the vineyard. If they do away with him, they will gain his inheritance. They throw the son out of the vineyard and kill him.
Jesus poses this question to the Jewish leaders…
“When the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?”
“He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,” they replied, “and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time.”
Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone?’” – Matthew 21:40-42
The Jewish leaders realize this parable is directed at them. Jesus is prophesying His own rejection and death at their hands… and the future of God’s kingdom. For the landowner is God and the vineyard is Israel. The leaders are the evil farmers. The servants are God’s prophets and priests who preached to Israel through the years. The son is Jesus, the Stone the builders will reject. The new tenants are the Gentiles who will produce and share the vineyard’s fruit.
Jesus warns the Jewish leaders with this prophecy…
“The kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.” – Matthew 21:43-44
Believers are the new people entrusted with the vineyard. The bedrock of our faith is built upon Jesus, the Cornerstone, the sure foundation. We are the recipients of His salvation. As faithful tenants of the restored vineyard, we produce kingdom fruit for the glory of our Redeemer.
The heart of God is that none should perish but all come to repentance and salvation (2 Peter 3:9). In His unending love and mercy, God sent His beloved Son to die for us… to save us from sin and death. Those who believe, He draws to Himself for all eternity.
Many today reject Christ, the precious Cornerstone. They refuse His rule and authority. The foundation of their lives is built upon the unstable, the worldly, the impermanent. They desire to reign supreme, not as tenants but owners.
Many throughout history have stumbled over the Rock, just as Jesus prophesied. Many today turn away from the only One who can save. All who continue along this path of denial and rejection of God’s truth will ultimately be crushed… eternally separated from the beloved Cornerstone.
Have you stumbled over Jesus, the Cornerstone… or have you chosen to build your faith and life upon Him?
“You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of His household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone.” – Ephesians 2:19-20
The Stone the builders rejected has become the Chief Cornerstone, Jesus Christ. He is the pivotal Rock, the tested Stone at the center of our lives. Let Him be the faithful One to whom you yield your life. Trust in Him alone to be your sure, unshakable foundation… your eternal Cornerstone.
