The Head Stone of the Corner (Psalm 118:22-23)

2023-12-07

The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. (Psalm 118:22-23)

Jesus Christ was rejected by religious leaders only to become the Savior. More specifically, this rejection was how He became the Savior!

This pattern appears a few times in Scripture. Joseph, Moses, and Jephthah were all rejected, but then they were used by God to save His people in some way. Stephen demonstrated this pattern in his sermon in Acts 7.

This verse in the psalms is quoted each of the three times of the parable of the husbandmen in the vineyard. The husbandmen rejected every servant God sent to them to receive fruit. When the Son came, they threw Him out and killed Him. When Jesus quoted this passage in the psalms, surely, they would have put it all together! But they didn’t, or they were perhaps willingly ignorant.

Peter is so bold in the Spirit before the elders and rulers that he also applied the psalm to them: “This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:11-12).

And again, the apostle writes, “Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed” (1 Peter 2:6-8).

Simon Peter tells us that for us who believe, he is “a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.” The chief corner stone Jesus, to those who reject Him, is a horror and sign of destruction, but to those who believe, He is most sacred.

This other passage of the chief corner stone is mentioned elsewhere: “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste” (Isaiah 28:16).

And the other passage is quoted: “Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken” (Isaiah 8:13-15). A clear statement of deity: Jesus, the LORD Jehovah, is the stone of stumbling, and how many fell by rejecting Him!

We read also, “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:20-22). Our Lord is the stone that puts together the rest of the house, the church of God, the sacred habitation of the Father by means of the Holy Spirit. The whole trinity is involved in our salvation and sanctification.

All history hinges on the Lord Jesus Christ. Do not miss this. By believing on Christ you have eternal life, and by rejecting Him, the wrath of God awaits. He is the purpose of your life.

And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. (Matthew 21:44)