Cornerstone: May 29, 2013

TODAY’S WORD FOR WEDNESDAY MAY 29, 2013.

CORNERSTONE

DEFINITION:

A stone representing the starting place in the construction of a monumental building. The stone placed at the corner of a building with the date of dedication or construction engraved on it.

SCRIPTURE:

Having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone. Ephesians 2:20

As you come to Him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves, like living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house to be a Holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. I Peter 2:4-5

For in scripture it says: See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame. I Peter 2:6

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

In the construction of large buildings a cornerstone is laid at the base of the building on one of the corners. On this cornerstone is written such things as the date that the building was dedicated or opened. It usually has a dedication written on it as well. The cornerstone sets the foundation for the building and the rest of the building is squared to it. The cornerstone and the foundation are the key elements of a sound and enduring structure.

The apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 2:20 about the cornerstone and the foundation of the church that was built by our Lord. The church Paul is speaking of is not a building. Paul is speaking of the whole body of Christ’s followers, past, present and future. Jesus Christ is the cornerstone and it is built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. 

When Paul referred to the apostles, as important as they were, he was not referring to them personally. He was referring to the divine revelation they taught, as they spoke the Word of God, by God given authority, to the church (the believers in Jesus) before the completion of the New Testament. This divine revelation that the apostles provided was the foundation for the believer’s faith.

We can be certain that our faith is built on a solid foundation because the foundation squares to the cornerstone, Jesus Christ and His teaching.

When Paul referred to the Apostles, he was referring to the 12 disciples who had seen the risen Christ and who had been chosen personally by Christ. After Matthias was chosen to replace Judas, he was included as one of the twelve. Later, Paul was set aside to be known as the apostle to the Gentiles. He too was chosen by Jesus. Paul was converted when he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus and is numbered with the other apostles.

When Paul referred to the prophets he was not referring to ordinary believers in the church. These were believers commissioned by the church because God had given them the gift of prophecy. Their office in the church ceased when the New Testament was completed.

But the important issue for us to remember is that Our Lord is the cornerstone for what we believe and the work of the apostles and prophets built upon this cornerstone.

In I Peter 2:6-8 Peter writes that this same cornerstone that God built His church upon is the same cornerstone that will be the stumbling stone that brings down the unbeliever in the Day of Judgment.

Peter reminds us, even as Paul did, that Christ’s position as chief cornerstone of the spiritual house, the church, was foreordained by God. As believers this stone is precious and trustworthy and our desire should be to build our standards in life on the cornerstone, Christ Jesus. Peter assures us that those who trust in Him will never be put to shame.

SCRIPTURE:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalm119:165:

Great peace have they which love Thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

PRAYER:

Thank You Jesus that You are God’s chosen cornerstone and that You have given me a solid foundation for my beliefs. May I daily build my standards and my goals on what Your trustworthy Word teaches me. Thank You for the assurance from scripture that those who trust You will never be put to shame.