Cornerstone

There was no love lost between the Jews and the Gentiles. Jews refused to associate with non-Jews, and if they even rubbed up against a Gentile while walking down the street, they considered themselves unclean. Then Jesus came…and changed everything.

Quoting Psalm 118:22, Peter likens those who do not believe as a builder who foolishly decided to forgo the most important detail of the project. The cornerstone, defined as “the chief foundation on which something is constructed,” determined the alignment and integrity of the building. Only a misguided, reckless builder would “reject” the cornerstone. For believers, this “stone” must be the starting point.

In his writing, the apostle Peter often referred to the Old Testament to make his point about Jesus. In today’s passage, Peter cites Isaiah 28:16. Here, he likens Jesus to the “cornerstone chosen and precious” used to build a secure and sure foundation.

He is the cornerstone joining the walls and making the building strong. All peoples come together in Christ and grow “into a holy temple in the Lord.”

Jesus is the Chief Cornerstone. If we reject or neglect the Cornerstone, our lives (relationships, jobs, dreams, desires, etc.) will be out of line.

Let’s pray that God will grant them his success!