“Let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
November 26, 2024
Solomon’s temple was built without the ring of hammers and the sound of chisels at the worksite. The stones were designed, and the specifications were sent to the quarry. The stones were cut in the quarry and brought to the worksite to be assembled by the workers. One strange-looking stone was in the middle. Nobody seemed to know what it was for, how it would fit, and they kept stumbling over it. It was a stumbling stone; it was in the way. Finally, the project manager said, “Men, move that stone out of the way.” They took that stone over to the edge of the temple mount, rolled it over, and it went down into the Kidron valley.
They were almost complete when it was time for the cornerstone. They said, “bring the cornerstone, we’re ready for it.” But the cornerstone was not there. Where do you think it was? Down in the valley. That’s what this verse is talking about. That stone that the builders viewed as nothing became the cornerstone, the foundation stone for the temple.
Peter’s saying, Listen, you want me to tell you how this is done? That stone that you rejected, Jesus Christ the living stone, is the cornerstone—He is the One who has made each man whole. He is the risen Lord; He is the residing Lord. I want you to know that if you’re a Christian, Jesus, who is alive, lives in you. If we could only get that in our hearts.! We’re not just talking about someday; Jesus is alive and well now in you.
Talk to a spiritual mentor and ask him or her how he or she has built his or her life on the cornerstone of Christ.
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”