Cornerstone

Can you explain what is a cornerstone? Has anyone ever shown you one before? If you happen to be someone who has a background in construction, you may know much more about it. As for me, I am thinking that the cornerstone represents the stone that is set down on the foundation of a structure before any other stone. In addition, it is set down at what would be the corner of the structure, and thus the name, “cornerstone”. Perhaps? Am I far off?

In the world of architecture, the cornerstone is typically set down at the corner of a structure, but not always. The cornerstone is usually one of the largest, the most solid, and the most carefully constructed of any stone in the structure, but again not always. A cornerstone is sometimes marked with a date to let people know when the building was erected, but again not always. What is always true, however, is that the cornerstone is the first stone set down for a structure. (It is sometimes also called the principal stone.) The purpose for the cornerstone is to guide the workers in their course as they set down the rest of the foundation. For thousands of years since the ancient times, builders have used cornerstones in their construction projects. Talk to a builder, and I think he or she will tell you this is true even today.

The word, “Cornerstone,” appears in the Bible, both in the Old Testament and the New Testament. There are two principal “Cornerstone” passages.

Psalms 118:22 
The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief corner stone.

Isaiah 28:16 
Therefore thus says the Lord GOD,
“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone,
A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed.
He who believes in it will not be disturbed.”

“Cornerstone” appears in the New Testament seven times, of which five are direct quotations of Psalms 118:22 and Isaiah 28:16. Jesus quotes from Psalm 118:22 in each of the Synoptic Gospels.

Matthew 21:42
Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures,
‘THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED,
THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone;
THIS CAME ABOUT FROM THE LORD,
AND IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES’?” 

Mark 12:10
“Have you not even read this Scripture:
‘THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED,
THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone...’” 

Luke 20:17
But Jesus looked at them and said, “What then is this that is written: ‘THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED,
THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone’?” 

The Apostle Peter said something similar in the Book of Acts.

Acts 4:11
“He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone."

The Apostle Paul also made reference to the Cornerstone.

Ephesians 2:19–20
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone.

Finally, Peter quotes from both 118:22 and Isaiah 28:16 in his letter.

1 Peter 2:6–7
For this is contained in Scripture: “BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNER stone, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, “THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE VERY CORNER stone...”

What is the Cornerstone? Who is this Cornerstone? The Lord Jesus Christ is the Cornerstone. In the same way a structure is built upon the cornerstone, the Church is built upon Christ. In the same way the cornerstone is the first stone set upon the foundation of a structure, the foundation of the Church is built upon Christ. Once the cornerstone is set, it becomes the starting point for determining every measurement in the remaining construction. Christ sets the standard for measure and alignment of the Church. As Peter pointed out, Christ is our living Cornerstone, and he is reliable, and “he who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Christ is “choice and precious in the sight of God.”

Many churches are named Cornerstone. They are in our communities, in our neighborhoods. Perhaps you have attended service at a church named Cornerstone before. But other than driving by churches named Cornerstone, most of us don’t see the word appear anywhere else from day to day. Most of us know very little about cornerstones because not many of us are or know someone who is in construction. But arguably in the 1st century, people knew more about construction and, therefore, cornerstones. Everyone knew that a structure would not be built right without a carefully placed cornerstone. Everything and anything that got built well was built on a good cornerstone in the foundation. The Psalmist, Isaiah, Matthew, Mark, Luke, Paul, Peter, and Christ himself all used a word familiar to everyone in the 1st century to let them know the Christ is the Cornerstone. He is the One. Here is a stone they should not miss. Here is a stone they would not want to reject. And this continues to be true for all eternity. For this reason, he is the Cornerstone of all.

Christ alone, Cornerstone, weak made strong in the Savior’s love, through the storm, He is Lord, Lord of all.

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