Lent 2024: The Cornerstone

“The stone which the builders refused has become the head stone of the corner.”
Psalm 118:22.

In the construction of Solomon’s Temple,
“they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house”
I Kings 5:17.

A Jewish tradition records that one of the shaped stones was of odd design and size and did not seem to fit anywhere. So the masons discarded it, pushing it over into the valley of the Kidron. As the Temple neared completion, it was found that the chief cornerstone was missing. A message was sent to the quarries to bring it up. Back came the answer that they had sent it up long before. Diligent search proved unavailing , until one of the masons remembered the stone that had been rejected as useless. With much effort it was drawn up from the valley and was found to fit exactly into place. 

In the last week of His ministry our Lord exclaimed to the hostile chief priests and elders.

“Did ye never read in the scriptures, the stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?”
Matthew 21:42 

He had experienced to the full the rejection of His nation, for when He came to His own home, His people had rejected Him
John 1:11. 

Shared from Moody Classics Complete Series by Nick Laninga

Jesus is the cornerstone
Came for sinners to atone
Though rejected by His own
He became the cornerstone
Jesus is the cornerstone

When I am by sin oppressed
On the stone I am at rest
When the seeds of truth are sown
He remains the cornerstone
Jesus is the cornerstone

Rock of Ages, cleft for me
Let me hide myself in Thee
Rock of Ages so secure
For all time it shall endure
‘Til the children reach their home
He remains the cornerstone

‘Til the breaking of the dawn
‘Til all footsteps cease to roam
Ever let this truth be known
Jesus is the cornerstone
Jesus is the cornerstone!