Jesus taught many things in parables when he was in this world. Let us meditate one of them now.
And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? – Luke 20:17 KJV
When we look at this verse, we can identify the below things.
- Builders: Those who have a desire to build their spiritual life
- Cornerstone: The stone used in the construction of a house so that the corners of the wall can be built perfectly so that the boundaries are proper. This means Jesus Christ is the reference and cornerstone for building the boundaries of our life properly.
- Rejected stone: The stone which is rejected to be used as the cornerstone or the reference stone. For a believer, this word means whenever we cannot believe the word of God given in a specific situation, are rejecting him.
- House (The thing being built): This is our spiritual life.
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel – Acts 4:11
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone – Ephesians 2:20
If we observe the above two verses, even though we reject Jesus and His word in our various situations, still he is the cornerstone if you want to build your life in a proper way in that very situation.
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ – Acts 2:36
In this verse – “Jesus whom you crucified” means, we resisted the word of God or rejected the word of God in many situations. By doing this, we are crucifying him. But, we should understand that, in that very situation, the same word of God, which we rejected is the only way to rescue us.
The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) – Acts 10:36
If we apply the above word to our individual lives, “The Lord Jesus Christ is the Lord of all my life. In every circumstance, situation till the end of it”. My life may contain troubles, tears, struggles, and disappointments, but God sent the gospel, which is the good news. The good news is, from all these troublesome situations, I can be delivered if I accept the Lordship of Jesus Christ over my life which means he will be the cornerstone of my life. When we believe these truthful words, we are not ashamed.
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. -Romans 5:8-10 KJV
Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. -1 Peter 2:6 KJV
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. -1 John 4:9 KJV
As we observe these verses, we can understand that the love of God is manifested in our lives for us in Jesus Christ. But in many cases, even though we are believers, we are unable to believe His Word and are incapable of conquering the flesh, ending up resisting him, rejecting him, and finally crucifying him. If we observe these three situations –
- Resisting – The first condition. When a sinful thought enters our mind, we will not be able to say no to that. We will resist the word of God that commands us not to entertain sinful thoughts.
- Rejecting – This is the second state. When the Holy Spirit pricks us and rebukes our conscience, we will ignore and disobey his warning and prepare ourselves to do sin.
- Crucifixion – This is the final condition. We will fall in sin and commit it.
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? -Acts 2:37 KJV
When you are struck by this word heard today, and you got the same question of what to do, He is the cornerstone that can fix your life. Realize and recognize that Jesus, whom you forbade, forsaken, and crucified, is the cornerstone that helps you to build and builds your spiritual life through His word.
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. -Acts 2:38 KJV
This verse encourages you to confess and repent of the sin in which your heart is troubled. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, that is, whatever is prepared for you will be given to you by God.
Do you realize that the divine love of God is speaking to you today?
Maybe you have a sinful thought and you are in a situation where you cannot stop it. Or you are in a state where you are rejecting the rebuke of the Holy Spirit, when you are preparing your environment to commit that sin. Or you committed that sin and crucified Him openly. Even then, if you have heard the good news of God’s loving gospel, that He is still willing to save and deliver you from all these sinful and failure conditions, and be pricked in your heart and don’t know what to do? Confess your sin before Jesus and accept Him as Lord of your life, and bury that sin in your life. Then the gift of the Holy Spirit will be with you forever, to lead your life to victory by providing every encouraging gift.
Watch the original sermon below: