When constructing a building, a cornerstone is crucial for structural support and sets the orientation for the entire structure. It symbolises something essential, offering stability, guidance, and a reference point. Same is the Case in our spiritual Life, Jesus is the cornerstone of Christian life.
What is a Cornerstone ?
Matthew 21:42-44 'Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “ ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’ ? “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.” ‘
A cornerstone (or foundation stone or setting stone) is the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation. All other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.
This passage - Matthew 21:42-44 describes Jesus as a "cornerstone"—the most important stone in an old building. It held everything together, either by connecting two walls or by keeping an archway in place.
Jesus is making it clear that he is the “cornerstone” on which the whole of God's household is built.
JESUS CHRIST - "THE CORNERSTONE" OF SALVATION
Isaiah 28:16 'So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstonefor a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic. '
God has set forth Jesus as the cornerstone of Salvation Revelation 7:10 'And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” '
How does he accomplish the Salvation ? using different types of stones to be used in the cornerstone
Precious stone - He is the only precious cornerstone used to build our salvation. You don’t use any stone in building a house, you have to use a brick thats cooked in fire to build a house, like wise Jesus is our precious stone
Tested stone - The foundation in which we are built in is “tested in the cross” to conquer the death for our sins. He is tested in Cross. Similarly to how the endurance test for a brick to weigh the load.. Jesus is our tested stone.
No Panic in this stone - As he is our precious / tested stones - Thats why we have the assurance in him is never panic stricken Isaiah 28:16 “the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic. ‘”
Power in the Stone - The cornerstone not only acts as a foundation for the building it, it acts with a power do what its called to do. Peter explained the power from which he did the healing Acts 4:7-11 'They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is “ ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ '
No Substitutes for Jesus as Cornerstone While building wall, we have many substitutes, gypsum board, brick, compressed brick, fire clan brick etc.. A church or a pastor or any individual cannot take the substitute of Jesus as cornerstone.. Ephesians 2:19-20 'Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. '
Coworkers who build on this foundation - The foundation is already laid by Jesus / Apostles and his disciples and many other preachers who have lived prior, we are just builders who build on top of this, don’t be threatened or think that you are the one who build it, others can take away that foundation from you. We are just coworkers (all the churches we are associated to are just a co-working body. ) 1 Corinthians 3:9-11 'For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. '
This “stone“ - has power to be broken
Matthew 21:44 'Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.” '
Broken - We have to fall to the stone to be broken into pieces before we can be used by God, the emptiness in us will alone produce the fruits thats he desires. If we remain stubborn not able to fall on this stone, we will be crushed by the stone in the day of Lord. We have to be like the Seed, we need to break before we we give life to salvation..
Isaiah 8:13-15 'The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread. He will be a holy place; for both Israel and Judah he will be a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem he will be a trap and a snare. Many of them will stumble; they will fall and be broken, they will be snared and captured.” '
Because of his holiness and because of our unholy / unrighteousness we stumble on him. Once we stumble in this rock we will be broken into pieces, like how a glass gets shattered when it hits a sharp object. We need to have that encounter to be enter into salvation.
1 Corinthians 1:18 'For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. '
The brokenness isn't meant to shame you but to bring God's work on the cross into your life, helping you build your foundation on Him instead of relying on other things. When we experience this brokenness, we truly see God's power. Until then, sermons and teachings may seem meaningless because they appear foolish to those who haven't yet understood.
Sins of past life need to be broken, pride / self desires that ruin God’s plans need to be broken. Ask Jesus he will show what need to be broken.
Brokenness will leads to true humility because it’s in his presence we realise our nothing- ness and his holiness
This is Isaiah’s commission - Isaiah 6:1-5 'In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” '
Salvation cannot be attitude without “Jesus” our Cornerstone
Summary
As you walk with Jesus, its important to surrender the pride of your’s, the self righteous acts of your’s, the ways of your’s as you surrender and ask God to break you in the the cornerstone he brings his power in you to strengthen you with his work in the cross. Pray a simple prayer like David prayed in Psalms
Psalms 26:2 'Test me, Lord , and try me, examine my heart and my mind; '
Psalms 25:18 'Look on my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins. '
Psalms 25:17 'Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish. '
God who is gracious will break all of the things thats unrighteous in his eyes in the cornerstone to empty you and bring his richness of Glory to shine on you.
Amen