The Jesus Bible Reading PlanSample

THE CORNERSTONE

While the Lord’s anger burned against Judah’s shepherds, he promised to care for the flock. In this verse, he used metaphoric language to describe how he planned to tend to those who were ultimately his people.

He assured them, initially, that a cornerstone would soon come. As any builder knows, the cornerstone determines the position of the rest of the foundation; furthermore, the foundation is vital to the structural integrity of the building. From the Lord would come the tent peg as well, referring to a certain capability to carry weight (Isa 22:20 – 23) and the battle bow, an image representing military power.

Though each of these images could be elaborated upon, Jesus employed the cornerstone image most frequently in his teaching. In the parable of the wicked tenants, he called himself the stone the builders rejected that has become the cornerstone (Mt 21:42). In Zechariah’s day, the Jewish leaders hindered the people’s relationship with their God. In Jesus’ day, the Jewish leaders rejected the cornerstone, God in the flesh. In fact, they sought his arrest (Mt 21:46), plotted to kill him (Mt 26:4) and eventually influenced Pilate to crucify him.

God replaced the leaders of Old Testament Israel, providing faithfully for his people. For New Testament believers, the stone that the leaders rejected became the cornerstone. Once again, God took care of his people, as he still does today.

Jesus, thank you for giving me a foundation that I can build on. Please help me to build a life that honors and glorifies you. Amen.