Christ our Cornerstone.

A cornerstone was originally meant as a stone that was foundational or pivotal for holding up a corner or two walls of a building. Without the cornerstone at least part of the building if not the whole thing would crumble.

Psalm 118:22 states this “the stone the builders rejected becomes the capstone (or cornerstone). The Lord has done this and it is marvelous in our eyes.”

In other words, picture a building and the stone-cutters are working with stone after stone, trying to shape them to fit together. And whoops, the slip of a chisel and one stone is cut incorrectly. Frustrated, they cast the stone away and continue building and shaping stone.

Eventually the building is almost complete, they just need one final piece of stone. This is the piece that will keep the whole building together, the most important cornerstone that will hold everything in place. It must be perfect. Shocked the stone-cutters realize that the stone they originally rejected as unfit is the perfect fit for this cornerstone piece.

“The stone the builders once rejected becomes the most important stone of all.” (FFOZ Chronicles of the Messiah, pg. 1293)

That is the point of Psalm 118:22. The “stone” (or person) that was at one time rejected becomes the most important person of all.

Psalm 118’s original function was to welcome royalty but it became a psalm with Messianic expectations. In fact, some Rabbis taught that the Jewish people will sing Psalm 118 to welcome the Messiah when He comes.

Wouldn’t that be fitting if Israel did sing Psalm 118 to Jesus when He returns. Especially with what happened the first time around.

As a whole Israel did not accept Jesus as their Messiah, their King. He did not look like what they were expecting, and the leadership of Israel cast Him away and rejected Him. And yet, He has become the Cornerstone that holds everything together and one day His people will see Him and recognize the One they rejected is the King they’ve been waiting for all along.

“The Lord has done this and it is marvelous in our eyes.”

Truly Christ is our Cornerstone, Believer. The one the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, the most important piece of all. May we praise and worship this One, Jesus, this day.