In the book of Acts chapter 4, we read that Pater and John are standing before the Sanhedrin, the 70 rulers of Israel. Peter and John had just healed a crippled man at the temple gate Beautiful and because of this, they were arrested and questioned. Peter’s answer to them was quite bold.
“Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at naught of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.” (Acts 4:10 and 11)
This last reference may not be clear to many but Peter was quoting a scripture from the Psalms. This scripture would have been very familiar to the counsel.
“The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.” (Psalms 118:22)
Peter referred to these leaders of Israel as ”builders” of God’s temple. Not a physical building, but referring to the people of Israel as being the “temple of God”. But these “builders” rejected Jesus and killed him. When a builder builds a house of brick or stone, he will first examine the bricks to see if they are “good enough” to use in his building. The bad bricks he will reject and cast aside and only use the worthy bricks (or stones). These religious leaders rejected Jesus as being worthless and not worthy to being a part of God’s temple. But GOD prophesied that Jesus would not only be worthy enough, but he would become the head stone of the corner.
In ancient construction, no stone was more important than the cornerstone because the integrity of the entire structure depended upon the cornerstone containing the exact right lines. The builders would search diligently for this stone in the quarry and it would be the first stone laid in the foundation of the building. (In Latin, this stone is called the foundation stone). If the cornerstone was not exactly right, the whole building would be out of alignment. The full weight of the building would rest on the cornerstone and every angle in the building would be measured by it. God made Jesus Christ this Cornerstone of His building.
But what has ancient building construction have to do with us today?
Ephesians states that before we were born-again, we were without Christ, without God and had no hope in this world. (Yuckk!) (Ephesians 2:12) But after we were saved everything changed.
“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;” (Ephesians 2:19)
We, who were without hope and without God, are NOW fellow-citizens with the saints. We are now members of God’s household and are a part of God’s holy temple – His building.
“And (we) are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are built together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” (Verses 20-22)
We are now a habitation of God because of the spirit that now dwells within us. This concept is almost beyond belief; that God Almighty, the Creator of the universe, has chosen to dwell within us. This is made possible because of the finished work of His son who gave his life for us.
Jesus Christ is STILL the Chief Cornerstone in our lives. He is our foundation, being the first and most important stone. Our entire identity is made stable by his life, death and resurrection. If we measure ourselves by one another, our “building” will be unstable and off center. But Jesus is the one we align ourselves with to keep us centered. As the Chief Cornerstone, Jesus ensures the stability of the whole system of our salvation.
“Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken.” (Isaiah 28:16)
Love always, Ray
“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. (I Corinthians 3:11)
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