Let us notice some of the Scriptures where we read about the rejected stone. All of the verses will be quoted from the NASB (New American Standard Bible). We first read about the rejected stone in the Old Testament. As workers were building Solomon’s temple, a stone was rejected. We read in Psalm 118:22-23, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone. This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.”

Our Savior referred to the verses in Psalm 118 during His life on earth. The Lord Jesus said in Matthew 21:42, “Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected, this became the chief corner stone; this came about from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes?’” The Lord was referring to His own rejection by the Jewish people that would result in His death by crucifixion. However, after His resurrection and ascension, He would become the chief corner stone of His church, composed of all believers.

Peter makes it abundantly clear that the Lord Jesus Christ is the rejected stone who became the chief corner stone of His church that He is building. We read in Acts 4:8-12, “8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, 9 ‘Rulers and elders of the people, if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by this name this man stands here before you in good health. 11 He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.’”

Peter confirms this truth in the first epistle that he wrote. We read in 1 Peter 2:6-7, “6 For this is contained in Scripture: ‘Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, and he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.’ 7 This precious value, then is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, ‘The stone which the builders rejected, this became the very corner stone.’ 8 and, ‘a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense;’ for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.”

As believers on the Lord Jesus Christ, He is precious to us as the corner stone of the church. Unbelievers place no value on the Lord Jesus and reject Him. They stumble over Christ as the rock since they are offended by His claims to be God and the only Savior for mankind. However, Christ really is the only hope for mankind and rejecting Him results in eternal judgment. If you have not yet repented of your sins and trusted Christ as your Savior, please do so today!  (DJ)  (685.1)