Psalm 118:22 says, “The stone the builders rejected has become the Cornerstone” (NAB). The NKJV reads, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the Chief Cornerstone.”
As it is said, “In short, what is insignificant to us human beings has become great, Chief through divine election.” The “stone” may originally have meant the foundation stone or capstone of the Temple, yet the New Testament interpreted this verse as referring to the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus (Matthew 21:42; Acts 4:11; Isaiah 28:16; Romans 9:33 and 1 Peter 2:7).
Psalms 118:22 was written centuries before Christ. Jesus Said … “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the Chief Cornerstone. This was the LORD’S doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?’” (Matthew 21:42, NKJV).
So Jesus quoted Psalm 118:22-23.
This Psalm was used in the early Ekklesia as a prophecy of Jesus’ resurrection: “This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the Chief Cornerstone” (Acts 4:11). Apostle Peter also quoted Psalm 118:22 and added, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is NO OTHER NAME under heaven given among men by which we must be SAVED” (Acts 4:12). I believe this! Name me one – ONE – man throughout history that can save a soul, wash away their sins, redeem them from an everlasting HELL.
Paul wrote: “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). Paul goes on to record this: “Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time” (v. 6).
Adding to all this, the author of Hebrews wrote, “And for this reason He (Jesus) is the Mediator of the New Covenant, by means of death, for the REDEMPTION of the transgressions under the First Covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance (i.e., Heaven)” (Hebrews 9:15).
Again, Paul writes about a stone: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense and whoever believes on Him (in Him) will not be put to shame” (Romans 9:33).
Paul, in a conversation about the Gentiles (vv. 30-33), speaks of the witness of the Old Testament Prophets (vv. 25-29), whose words have been fulfilled. The Old Testament Jews held onto the Mosaic law, but Christ replaced it, thus allowing the Gentiles (e.g., Romans/Greeks et al.) to receive eternal salvation. Paul saw that the Jews were not concerned with Eternal Salvation through Christ Jesus; thus we see REJECTION of Him by them and then ACCEPTANCE of Him by the Romans and Greeks and other non-Jews. The Jewish nation as a whole rejected the Chief Cornerstone, which to the nation became a stumbling stone.
To those who believed on Jesus – Jews/Romans/Greek/et al. – God poured out His love through the Holy Spirit (see Romans 5:5).
“Christ died for us,” Paul wrote in Romans 5:8. By all this, fallen man/woman can receive reconciliation (v. 11).
Are you Rejecting Him?
Are you building your own dreams and schemes without Jesus the Lord? If so, you are building upon sand, not the Rock (see Matthew 7:24-27).
Once upon a time, Americans built their dreams and schemes upon the Rock; now the larger part of Americans are building upon sand. Why do you suppose that God (who controls the weather) is trashing, bashing, crashing the landscape today? Is it not to show us that we need to return back to the Rock of our salvation??
A prime example – the prime example – in Scripture, showing rejection of God, was ancient Israel of whom John wrote: “He came to His own (i.e., literally, ‘His own things or domain’), and His own (lit., ‘His own people, the Jews’) did not receive Him” (John 1:11).
America was not founded upon false gods or goddesses: it was founded upon the Biblical principles of God Himself. Yes, we have mostly rejected Him today, preferring Socialism, Communism, pagan/queer ideologies and religions. Still, there is a remnant of believers who are holding the line as the FORCES of HELL RAGE against them and us.
Personally I have no worldly dream or scheme. My whole life in Christ is for Him. He is My Rock of Salvation. Amen and Amen!
GEN JIM, POW