Cornerstone

“For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.” Ephesians 2:18-21

In the building process, the cornerstone is traditionally known as the first stone placed when establishing a structure. Literally placed on the corner of two intersecting walls, this stone serves as a reference, a marker for all other stones laid after it. This singular stone is regarded as the most important piece of the entire building. It’s no wonder that Jesus Christ is aptly named “the Cornerstone.”

In Ephesians 2, we are given the image of a house. This house is truly a place of refuge, welcoming in Saints of every nation, tribe, and tongue to its sanctuary. None are strangers and none are aliens- all are children of God and brothers and sisters in Christ in this home.

Like any house, though, this didn’t happen overnight. As with any home, sacrifices had to be made to make the house just right. In order to welcome in so many saints, Jesus Christ had to make a payment none of us could afford- a payment which He laid down His life for.

This is why Jesus is the only one worthy to be our Cornerstone. He is the foundational rock upon which the whole family of God is built. By defeating death, Jesus successfully repaid the debt caused by sin so that we all may live with Him eternally. This Cornerstone is not weak and is truly unwavering. In Isaiah 28:16, this Cornerstone is described as one that is firm, tested, and precious- a sure foundation and guiding rock.

Jesus Christ leads us to unity. While we were once divided, separated and discriminatory, the gospel of Jesus Christ breaks down the walls of race, status, gender, age, occupation, and background, joining together the whole body of Christ. Jesus brings us all together under one roof and makes it possible for the full structure of faith to become and remain unified.

Stone by stone, brick by brick, the house of the Lord is made. Slowly but surely, this body of believers transforms into a holy temple of the Lord, built upon the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets that came before us. Bound together by the mortar of Scripture and the unwavering faithfulness of the Father, the Bride of Christ takes her shape. This is made possible only by Jesus Christ and the work done on the cross.

Here’s the thing with cornerstones, though: because it guides the placement of the stones that follow, pieces placed out of line ultimately aren’t included in the construction of the house. When Proverbs 3 says that the Lord will make our paths straight, the opposite remains true as well. In our own strength, our unguided paths are crooked, broken, and lead to destruction. The faithful guidance of the Lord and the life demonstrated by Jesus on earth helps us place our life stones in accordance with the Lord’s plan for our lives.

This season, each of us have a choice to make: will we rely and cling to our Cornerstone, our guiding and measuring line, who has proven to be reliable and true, or do we continue to build our lives on the faulty ways of the world? Jesus came to give abundant life - a life lived in unity with other brothers and sisters in Christ around us. There is no time like the present to enter into the house of the Lord and to join the family. This Christmas, may each of us make the daily choice to follow after and build our lives upon the Chief Cornerstone, our sure foundation, Jesus Christ.