THE CORNER STONE

THE CORNER STONE

"The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief corner stone." ( Psalm 118:22 NAS )
In ancient times the cornerstone was the stone at the corner of two walls that united them. It was the visible corner of the foundation of the building and the starting point of all future building above the foundation. It was the most costly stone due of its beauty and strength. It was also the largest, most solid and carefully constructed stone of the foundation.

"Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious
cornerstone, a sure foundation; whoever believes will not act hastily." ( Isaiah 28:16 NAS)

Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: `The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes'? "Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it." ( Matt 21:42-43 BBE )

The "stone" is the Messiah, the "builders" are the Jews.
Jesus was not only the Cornerstone but the "chief" (highest) Cornerstone. This is the position which the rejected Jesus now holds in the church. The honor bestowed upon Him as the head of the church, and the triumph of His gospel in the world, all testify that it is the work of God and it is marvelous in our eyes.

How does the rejected stone become a cornerstone or the capstone?
"Because it is contained in scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone (Jesus), elect, precious: And he that believeth on him shall not be put to shame. For you therefore that believe is the preciousness: but for such as disbelieve, The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner; and, A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence; for they stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed."
(1 Peter 2:6-7 ASV)

You are coming to Christ, the living stone who was rejected by humans but was chosen as precious by God.
(1Peter 2:4 GWT).
Peter is pointing out that Jesus Christ was rejected and crucified by his own people. But God who is building the spiritual house has chosen Jesus Christ to be the capstone of that building that is made up of all the believers in Jesus Christ.

Peter's main point in using this description is to emphasize the importance of what the rejected stone had become to the building. Jesus was not only the Cornerstone but the "chief" (highest) Cornerstone.

To us Jesus is the chief corner stone of the Church. He is a sure foundation for our faith to rest upon. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:11 (GWT), "After all, no one can lay any other foundation than the one that is already laid, and that foundation is Jesus Christ. He also wrote in Ephesians 2:20 (GWT), "You are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Christ Jesus himself is the cornerstone."

Prayer
Thank you Father God for a sure foundation that we have because Jesus has become the chief cornerstone. It is all marvelious in our eyes. We also apply this truth to our own individual lives. Our faith rest upon this foundation. We have not rejected the Cornerstone. By the grace of God Jesus is not a stumbling stone to us. We are part of that spiritual house therefore we rejoice and give glory to God that Jesus has become our corner stone. Amen



Day of fire - Cornerstone

All of the ground is sinking sand
A doubting maze of desert land
Where darkness rules the heart of man
Til’ the sun shines light on him
Lord of all,
Show you’re strong
All my needs they fall
Chorus:
Be a cornerstone
Be a cornerstone
Be a rock, higher than I
Be my fortress wall
Be a foundation for all,
My cornerstone
The building’s swaying in the wind
The towers crumble down again
This certainly will be the end
Of them not built on him
Lord of all
Show your strong
All my needs they fall
(Chorus)
You
You are the builder of my heart
You
Held me together from the start
(Chorus)

Scripture

Mark 12:10 "Have ye not even read this scripture, The stone which they that builded rejected, this has become the corner-stone: "(DBY)

Luke 20:17 "But he looking at them said, What then is this that is written, The stone which they that builded rejected, this has become the corner-stone? "(DBY)
Ephesians 2:20 being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the corner-stone, (DBY WBS)

1 Peter 2:6 "Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner-stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded." (WBS YLT)
Job 38:6 "Whereupon were the foundations thereof fastened? Or who laid the corner-stone thereof," (ASV DBY JPS YLT)

Psalms 118:22 "The stone which the builders rejected Is become the head of the corner." (See JPS)

Isaiah 19:13 'The princes of Zoan are become fools, the princes of Memphis are deceived; they have caused Egypt to go astray, that are the corner-stone of her tribes."(ASV DBY JPS)

Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I lay for foundation in Zion a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner-stone, a sure foundation: he that trusteth shall not make haste. (DBY JPS)

Zechariah 10:4 "From him shall come forth the corner-stone, from him the nail, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler together." (ASV DBY JPS YLT)