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Chief Corner Stone - Psalm 118
Chief Corner Stone - Psalm 118
Men routinely have rejected God's messengers and message. As we read through the Old Testament we see them rejecting Joseph, Moses, various of the judges, David, and then the prophets. We read of such rejection in Steven's speech and in Romans 9.
Jesus used this Psalm to point out that He too would be rejected, just as they had rejected so many before Him (Mark 12:10). Peter in Acts then picked this up: "He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief cornerstone" (Acts 4:11). Peter then referred to this again in writing 1 Peter:
"you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For this is contained in Scripture: “Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.” This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, “The stone which the builders rejected, This became the very corner stone,” and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed." (1 Peter 2:5–8).
Peter makes a point in this letter that believers should not be surprised that they and their message are rejected (cp. 4:12). They rejected our LORD and they will reject us. They rejected the cornerstone, they will reject the temple of the LORD. Yet, he also reminds us that such rejection comes with an awful consequence.
In our present day we are facing rejection of our message as well as persecution for holding to the faithful word. Let us not despair. Let us not be surprised. Let us be faithful to our rejected LORD. Hugh DeLong
