God's Messages in Stone #2.

The Rise of the Rejected Stone



The importance of the centre stone.



Most of us enjoy watching a film where the rejected baseball player makes good.  When he hits the home run to win the World Series we stand up and shout. We are thrilled by his rise from tragedy to triumph.

A much more critical triumph over rejection is found in the Bible. Not only was the person rejected but he was slandered, falsely accused and judicially murdered.  What is more he knew what was in store for him, yet pursued his course to attain something everlasting not for himself but for all of us. Even those who did the foul deed!

Using the metaphor of ‘the stone’ we read of this person in Psalm 118:22-23: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.’ This was read at the Jewish Passover meal. Guess who read it? Jesus!  Before He came to earth this Jesus knew what to face. Isaiah 53:3 tells us He would be despised and rejected. Why then would He go through with it? Many reasons! Among them is to achieve your salvation and acceptance with God plus so that He might be the ‘capstone’ of God’s purposes.

What historical fact do we have to verify such a claim? Jesus was condemned by Jewish and Roman authorities for offences against their Law. He was crucified and the tomb’s rock door was sealed with an official seal. A guard of soldiers was also posted around it. Still Jesus broke through the power of death, the tomb and rejection with His resurrection.  From the lowest Jesus has risen to the highest.

Now we are confronted with a choice.  Will He be one of three stones over and in our own life? Will he remain for you the rejected stone despite all the evidence of His triumph? Will He be the Stumbling stone, the stone of offence because you don’t like His claim to your life? Or will He be the capstone of your life. The One who gives you dignity, meaning, hope and the joy of knowing forgiveness for the time when you treated Him as the rejected or stumbling stone.

1 Peter 2:6 uses another defining term about this ‘Stone.’ ‘See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him shall not be put to shame.’ That is a wonderful promise endorsed by countless millions since the first Easter Sunday who have believed in Jesus as Lord and Saviour. That commitment of faith makes Jesus both the cornerstone and the capstone of your life. It means you are kept you under His care in time and eternity.

Ray (under the capstone) Hawkins.

Next week. The Destroying Stone.

For more on  the Rejected but Triumphant Stone read my 31 Day Devotional Meditations 'Captured by Calvary' at all good Christian Bookshops in print and Ebooks.