Post by foxjj on Jul 21, 2022 7:06:59 GMT
The Precious Cornerstone
Among the many scriptures referring to The Chosen One in the Old Testament is Psalm 118:22-23 where it states: “22 The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; 23 the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.” These verse’s in Psalm 118 are referring to Isreal's rejection of the Chosen One whom The Almighty would send. Although He was to be the cornerstone for the spiritual betterment of His people - He would be rejected by Isreal. This rejection would occur with the foreknowledge of The Almighty, notwithstanding, this Chosen One is, and will remain the chief cornerstone in God's Spiritual Kingdom. Therefore the rejection of The Chosen One was a serious act by the nation.
Jesus reminded His listeners regarding this Script in Matthew 21:42-46: “42 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’?
43 “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. 44 Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.”
45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus’ parables, they knew he was talking about them. 46 They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet.”
Today we can look back and see how Isreal rejected Jesus as their Messiah, even though He was the Chosen One sent by The Almighty. As the ministry of Jesus came to its fulfilment, so also the Covenant would be replaced by A New Covenant through His death and resurrection. It is because of this New Covenant that you and I can receive Salvation and become part of God's Kingdom, as Paul explained: "Therefore I want you to know that God's salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!" (Acts 28:28.)
The cornerstone is crucial when used as the large foundation stone in the construction of two walls forming a corner. Without the cornerstone the building will not be firm or stable and risks collapsing. Peter teaches concerning the importance, and the blessings of accepting Jesus as The Cornerstone in our lives when he wrote:
“6 For in Scripture it says:
“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame.”
7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
“The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,”
8 and,
“A stone that causes people to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall.”
They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1 Peter 2:6-10 (NIV)
Today, let us give thanks for Jesus, our precious cornerstone.
John Joseph Fox.
Among the many scriptures referring to The Chosen One in the Old Testament is Psalm 118:22-23 where it states: “22 The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; 23 the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.” These verse’s in Psalm 118 are referring to Isreal's rejection of the Chosen One whom The Almighty would send. Although He was to be the cornerstone for the spiritual betterment of His people - He would be rejected by Isreal. This rejection would occur with the foreknowledge of The Almighty, notwithstanding, this Chosen One is, and will remain the chief cornerstone in God's Spiritual Kingdom. Therefore the rejection of The Chosen One was a serious act by the nation.
Jesus reminded His listeners regarding this Script in Matthew 21:42-46: “42 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’?
43 “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. 44 Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.”
45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus’ parables, they knew he was talking about them. 46 They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet.”
Today we can look back and see how Isreal rejected Jesus as their Messiah, even though He was the Chosen One sent by The Almighty. As the ministry of Jesus came to its fulfilment, so also the Covenant would be replaced by A New Covenant through His death and resurrection. It is because of this New Covenant that you and I can receive Salvation and become part of God's Kingdom, as Paul explained: "Therefore I want you to know that God's salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!" (Acts 28:28.)
The cornerstone is crucial when used as the large foundation stone in the construction of two walls forming a corner. Without the cornerstone the building will not be firm or stable and risks collapsing. Peter teaches concerning the importance, and the blessings of accepting Jesus as The Cornerstone in our lives when he wrote:
“6 For in Scripture it says:
“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame.”
7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
“The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,”
8 and,
“A stone that causes people to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall.”
They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1 Peter 2:6-10 (NIV)
Today, let us give thanks for Jesus, our precious cornerstone.
John Joseph Fox.
