Caput Anguli | Cornerstone

But he looked at them and said, “Then what is this that is written, ‘The stone which the builders rejected was made the chief cornerstone"? – Luke 20:17

 

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In Luke 20 from verse 9 we read about the parable of the tenants and the vineyard. This parable describes the terrible things that happened to the servants and the murder of the owner’s beloved son. The tenant farmers rejected the beloved son and thus also the cornerstone.

The Bible describes Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone. Luke 20:17-18 is an Old Testament prophecy that was fulfilled. We read about this prophecy in Psalm 118:22 and also in Isaiah 28:16  - “Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone of a sure foundation. He who believes shall not act hastily". 

The apostle Paul writes about the chief cornerstone too in Ephesians 2:20: “being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone”. The apostle Peter also writes about the cornerstone and says that Jesus, as our cornerstone, is “chosen by God and precious to him” (1 Peter 2:4). 

Just like the cornerstone of a building, Jesus Christ should be our firm foundation. Sadly, not everyone accepts Jesus Christ. From the very beginning, Jesus was “a stone that causes people to stumble” (1 Peter 2:8). When Herod heard the news of the Messiah’s arrival, his response was to try and kill Him. 

When people reject Jesus Christ and what He offers us, they rebel and build on a different foundation and they also reject his perfect offering for all our sins.  "One who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who disobeys the Son won’t see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” - John 3:36. We also read about another warning of judgment for those who reject Christ: “Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed” (Luke 20:18).

Let’s make sure that Christ is our cornerstone. Holding on to our cornerstone, despite difficult circumstances we might be facing. Jesus Christ as our Chief Cornerstone means that He is the foundation of our lives.

By not rejecting the Cornerstone, we do not reject Christ and His perfect, sufficient and finished sacrifice for all our sin. We must trust Jesus for complete forgiveness of sin because "the blood of Jesus Christ his Son, cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). 

Jesus Christ is our all-sufficient Saviour!  His work of redemption is finished (John 19:30). Let’s put all our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Reflection on Luke 20:1 - 26 by Hanne Teach

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