18 February 2021 - Jesus the cornerstone

1 Peter 2:6 (NASB) “For this is contained in Scripture: “Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, and he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.”

During Bible times, a cornerstone was the principal stone, usually placed at the corner of a large building, to guide the workers in their course. The cornerstone was usually one of the largest, the most solid, and the most carefully constructed of any in the building. It is the stone upon which the weight of the entire structure rests. It is the cornerstone. The Bible describes Jesus as the cornerstone that His church would be built upon. He is foundational. Once the cornerstone was set, it became the basis for determining every measurement in the remaining construction; everything was aligned to it. As the cornerstone of the building, Jesus is our standard of measure and alignment.

Psalm 118:22-23 (NIV) “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; 23 the Lord has done this, and it is marvellous in our eyes.”

Romans 9:33 (NIV) “As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.”

Acts 4:11 This is the "stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone."

Some people reject Jesus the precious cornerstone. They want to build something different from what God is building. Just as the people building the tower of Babel rebelled against God and pursued their own purpose, those who reject Christ disregard God’s plan in favour of their own purposes.

Matthew 21:44 (ESV) “And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”

Jesus Christ as a cornerstone means that He is the foundation, the measuring guide and our foundation in life.

He is the light that guides us to a straight path whenever we are in darkness.

1 Corinthians 3:10–11 (NLT) “Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.”

Jesus is our strength to make it through difficult times. He can provide peace when nothing else can. Jesus is the Cornerstone. If we trust in him as our Saviour, we will not be shamed.