BROADCASTS.com

The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad. (Psalm 118:22-24)

Anyone familiar with the New Testament will know that these verses from Psalm 118 about Jesus being the cornerstone show up all over. \xa0Verse 24 is where our song \u201cThis is the Day that the Lord has Made\u201d comes from. \xa0The Palm Sunday shout of \u201cBlessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD\u201d also comes from this Psalm. \xa0So, there\u2019s a lot going on here.\xa0

The most significant theme of Psalm 118 that resonates throughout is how the Lord is the one who saves. \xa0\u201cIt is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans,\u201d the psalmist says. \xa0And later: \u201cI will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done.\u201d \xa0The Lord is the one who saves from death, calamity, and sin. \xa0He is the only one, in fact. \xa0The psalmist couldn\u2019t do it alone and is convinced that no one else can either. \xa0But because the Lord is good and because \u201chis love endures forever,\u201d we are able to trust that the Lord will not give us over to death either, even when we face death. \xa0

Of course, all of this good foundational theology was made flesh and dwelt among us in Jesus. \xa0He was the one who came in the name of the Lord. \xa0He was one who faced death unjustly and entrusted himself to the Father for salvation. \xa0He did not attempt to save himself. \xa0His hopes were well placed. \xa0On the third day he was vindicated by the Father and rose from the dead, able to say once and for all with Psalm 118: \u201cI will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done.\u201d \xa0All of us who trust in Jesus are able now to say the same thing. \xa0

But of course, this all looked rather like weakness. \xa0Jesus didn\u2019t put up a fight. \xa0He got himself bloodied and bruised. \xa0He got himself killed. \xa0Builders do not choose weak stones to be the foundational cornerstones. \xa0Builders do not choose broken stones to become the foundational cornerstones. \xa0Nor do they choose stones that they cannot put to their own uses. \xa0By that criteria too, Jesus was rejected.

But God vindicated Jesus. \xa0Not only by overturning Pilate and the Religious Leader\u2019s unjust verdicts against him, not only by raising him to life and so nullifying the sentence of death carried out against him, but also by raising Jesus to the highest place in the throne room of heaven\u2014making him the King, the foundation, the base upon which the Kingdom of God, the Church, and all God\u2019s people would be built. \xa0This weak one becomes the strength of God. \xa0This broken one becomes the restored face of the entire edifice. \xa0This one who could not be put to use by the will of man becomes the one who empowers any worthy use any of us can set our lives to. \xa0 \xa0\xa0

Jesus is our cornerstone. The only name in which life and salvation can be found. The only worthy foundation upon which to build our lives. \xa0So today, let us rejoice and be glad in him.

As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: \xa0 \xa0

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you : wherever he may send you.
May he guide you through the wilderness : protect you through the storm.
May he bring you home rejoicing : at the wonders he has shown you.\xa0
May he bring you home rejoicing : once again into our doors.

\xa0