Christ the cornerstone
The stone which the builders rejected as worthless turned out to be the most important of all.
This was done by the Lord
what a wonderful sight it is!
This is the day of the Lord’s victory;
let us be happy, let us celebrate! (verses 22-24)
I remember working as a child on my uncle’s farm. Sometimes, when he wanted to build something, instead of buying the materials he’d go to scrap-metal yards and old timber mills to ask for throwaways. I marvelled at his ability to construct something that was beautiful and strong from what others had discarded as rubbish.
New Testament writers recognised that today’s psalm was referring to Jesus when it spoke about the stone that was rejected. God the Father chose his own Son, Jesus, to be the foundation for his people, the church. Though many continue to reject Jesus today, God is building his church into something beautiful and strong.
As believers in Jesus, we are part of this building. We are living stones towering over the wrecks of time. All the vain human attempts to attain glory have been short-lived and have failed. But you are chosen, precious, holy. Together with other Christians, you are built on Christ, the solid rock. ‘Whoever believes in him will never be disappointed’ (1 Peter 2:6).
Lord God, finish your wonderful work in me and in all your people through your cornerstone, Jesus Christ. Draw people to your church so that they may rejoice in your glorious victory. Amen.
by Rev Simon Cooper, in ‘Living Water for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2001)
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