Christ the Cornerstone

Jesus, the cornerstone the builders rejected, is our cornerstone.

"The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone" (Ps 118:22).
"He is 'the stone rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone'". (Acts 4:11).
"Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD: See, I am laying a stone in Zion, a stone that has been tested, A precious cornerstone as a sure foundation; whoever puts faith in it will not waver." (Is 28:18)
"...as it is written: 'Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion that will make people stumble  and a rock that will make them fall, and whoever believes in him shall not be put to shame.'" (Rom 9:33)

The four verses above all refer to a cornerstone which we Christians believe is Jesus Christ. The four verses, two each from the Old Testament and the New Testament, affirm the belief that God will and did send someone who would be the basis of a new covenant; this person would be rejected by leaders in Israel. Jesus as the cornerstone for our lives is the central theme to the Hillsong United song "Cornerstone", which is based on the hymn "My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less" by Edward Mote.

The first verse of the song calls us to hope (Christian hope, which is not wishful thinking but is the theological virtue by which we desire and expect from God both eternal life and the grace we need to attain it) only in Jesus and the cross. No person on earth, no matter how good, how successful, how powerful, how beautiful, can give us that hope. Only Jesus was truly righteous and can bring us to eternal life.

The righteousness of Jesus Christ makes him our cornerstone. He uses the weak to shame the strong and the foolish to shame the wise (1 Cor 1:27), so that no human being might boast before God (1 Cor 1:29). It is Jesus who is there with us always, even in our darkest hours and during our most threatening life storms (Mt 8:24-27). He is ever present though we may not recognize him or understand how he is with us. While his Apostles thought that they may perish in the boat at sea (Mt 8:24), we must have the faith that Jesus will see us through our troubled times.

The final verse of the song refers to Revelation where St. John prophesied the final coming of Jesus Christ after the blowing of the seventh trumpet. Then will Jesus call together the elect, those who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb, and have been made pure and are dressed in his righteousness, from all nations on earth. We all hope to be there with Jesus on that final day.

This song has many biblical references, too many to fully delve into in this post. Take the time to read the lyrics and study them with your Bible in hand. In this way, one can reinforce one's faith and hope for the final coming of Jesus as Lord, and provide encouragement on our journey.

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