THE CORNERSTONE

22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.

23 This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.

24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalms 118:22-24

 

The image in verse 22 comes from the ancient quarries where highly trained stonemasons carefully chose the stones used in construction. No stone was more important than the cornerstone because the integrity of the whole structure depended on the cornerstone containing exactly the right lines. If the cornerstone was not exactly right, the entire building would be out of line. The builders inspected many stones, rejecting each one until they found the one they wanted. Rejected stones might be used in other parts of the building, but they would never become the cornerstone or the capstone (the first and last stones put in place).

In Acts 4:8–12, Peter quoted Psalm 118:22 to show that Jesus is the rejected stone whom God made to be the cornerstone of salvation. They (the Jewish leaders) rejected him, but God not only accepted him but put him in the position of highest honor.

Peter pressed the point home with this powerful conclusion: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). These words are utterly exclusive. There is no other hope, no other way, and no other name than the name of Jesus. If we would be saved, we must come God’s way or we won’t come at all.

Christianity.com 

Taken from “Rejected Stone” by Keep Believing Ministries (by permission).

 Originally published March 30, 2011.

 

It is not the day we are living in that give us cause for such a celebration. It is the day in which the cornerstone was rejected. It is the crucifixion day where Jesus gave His life on the cross for our salvation. “This is the day which the Lord hath made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.”