Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’ [1] Those listening to Peter would have been familiar with this imagery as it is a direct quote from Psalm 118:22.
The Old Testament often refers to God in the image of a rock, and Peter’s listeners would have known this. Deuteronomy 32: 4 He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is! [2]
A cornerstone is the first stone used to construct a masonry foundation. It is used as the standard to ensure that all the other stones of the building are straight and level and acts as a foundation. Jesus is the foundation of our faith and the church.
A Stumbling Block
The Jewish leadership knew Scripture and expected the Messiah to be a political king. When Jesus came as a spiritual king, the leadership tossed Him aside and rejected Him. They did not realize God had sent a New Covenant through Jesus. But Jesus will return and become the chief Cornerstone as King to rule over an unending kingdom.
Romans 9: 31 But the people of Israel, who tried so hard to get right with God by keeping the law, never succeeded. 32 Why not? Because they were trying to get right with God by keeping the law instead of by trusting in him. They stumbled over the great rock in their path.[3]
Jesus must be the foundation of our faith; any religious efforts without Him will fail. His life, teaching, death, and resurrection are the church’s foundation. If we don’t allow Jesus to be that, we will stumble over Him just as the Jewish leadership did.
Peter Built on the Image of Cornerstone
Peter began using the imagery of Jesus as the Cornerstone only a few months after the coming of the Holy Spirit. As the church grew, Peter expanded on this imagery. Jesus is the Cornerstone in the church, but the believers are living stones built into a spiritual Temple.
1 Peter 2:4 You are coming to Christ, who is the living Cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor. 5 And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. 6 As the Scriptures say, “I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor, and anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” 7 Yes, you who trust him recognize the honor God has given him. But for those who reject him, “The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.” [4]
Don’t stumble over Jesus, but allow Him to be the foundation of your faith. Be willing to become a living stone as part of Jesus’ Kingdom here on earth.
To learn more about how Jesus is the Cornerstone, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/peter-and-john-arrested
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.
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