|
Our scripture text for Sunday is Luke 20:9–19.
The following reflection is provided to aid you in preparation for worship this Sunday...
“‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.’ Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”
Luke 20:17–18
Italy contains magnificent artwork produced by sculptors of the Renaissance period, which reached its apex with Michelangelo, the greatest sculptor of that era. Before Michelangelo began his work, he would visit the area of Carrara, where they had white marble that was unequaled in the world. At the quarry, he meticulously inspected each stone. He searched for the smallest flaw, anything that would mar the stone, any blemish that he could discern with the naked eye. If it didn’t perfectly meet his specifications, he would reject it.
The Word of God says that a particular stone that the builders rejected would become the chief cornerstone of the building that God will build. There are many metaphors that describe the church in the New Testament. It is called the body and the bride of Christ. But one of the most vivid images is of a building made of living stones, which are the people of God; the foundation of the building is the prophets and the Apostles, with the chief cornerstone being Christ.
Jesus told the Pharisees and the Sadducees, the scribes and the elders, that this cornerstone would be a stumbling block. People will look at it and not find any beauty in it. They will trip over it. They will fall on their faces and fall into ruin. Then, He said, “Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.” We gather each Lord’s Day to meet with the Chief Cornerstone of the church, the One who is a stumbling block to many people.
If you trip over Him, you will fall into pieces, and the Father will take that Chief Cornerstone of His church whom you reject and He will crush you. The Word of God says that on the final day, the day of judgment, every knee will bow to Jesus Christ. Many of those people who will bow to Jesus Christ will do so because they acknowledge Him not only as their Savior but as their King. In a spirit of obeisance and adoration and reverence, they will willingly and joyfully get on their knees in front of Him. Those who despise Him will bow because God will break their knees with a rod of iron. One way or another, everyone will bow.
|
