The Chief Cornerstone

As I was reading Matt. 21, I came upon the parable that Jesus told about the landowner and the vinedressers. The landowner prepared a business for himself, he hired others to run it, and he went into a far country. He sent servants to go to the vineyard and collect the fruit. But the workers beat them, killed them, and stoned them. Again he sent more servants, and again they were beaten and killed. Then he decided to send his son, thinking that the workers would respect his son. But when the workers saw the son, they decided to kill the son, thinking that the inheritance would be theirs. Then Jesus, quoting these famous words from Ps. 118:22-24, said to the chief priests and elders, "The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes." The parable is the story of God's love and mercy to His people, in sending over and over again His servants and prophets to Israel, that there would be fruit in Israel for God. But again and again, Israel refused the prophets, and misused and abused them, and sometimes killed them. And finally, God sent His own Son, that His people would respect and hear Him. But again, Israel refused to hear the word, even though it was delivered by His own Son. They took the Son out of the city, and there at Golgotha they crucified Him. This is the stone which the builders rejected. As a cornerstone that is not perfect is rejected, so they found fault with Jesus, and rejected Him. But that same Stone has now been made the Chief Cornerstone. It is from Him that all the building is built and framed. When He comes into our lives, it is from Him that all the rest of our lives is to be measured and directed. When the Chief Cornerstone is laid in our hearts, He lays out the plan for all the rest of our lives. This is the story of the crucifixion and resurrection all wrapped up in these two statements; "The stone which the builders rejected, has become the chief cornerstone"! This wonderful message is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.