Living Stones

READ: MATTHEW 7:24-27; 1 PETER 2:4-10

Not long ago, we were scattered like pebbles across the ground. Unwanted, forgotten, far from found. That was, until the day He came. Bare feet scudding across the sand, bending down to gently pick us up and place us in His hands. Rejected by others, chosen by Him. He told us that He had been rejected too. Despised, beaten, spit upon, and ultimately killed.

After that time of darkness and mourning, His Father raised Him to life, rolling the stone away. Chosen by His Father, precious to Him. For years, we waited for someone we could trust, someone who would speak what is true, about everything, about us.

The world said He was a liar, a heretic, an imposter. The Father said He was the Cornerstone, chosen before the creation of the world, imperishable (1 Peter 1:18-20), one with the Father Himself (John 10:30). The world says we are worthless, He says we are chosen (1 Peter 2:9). Once we were covered in rags, but Cornerstone clothed us with His royal robes. We were created by Him, made to sing His praise.

Cornerstone takes us, one by one, and builds, not on the sand, but on Himself. Each stone is unique and alive, every one precious. Some He sands down, others He chisels. These stones are being formed into a beautiful house with the only foundation that will remain. Though storms will come and waters rise, this truth endures: “The one who trusts in him will never be put to shame” (1 Peter 2:6). • Savannah Coleman

• The prophet Isaiah wrote that the Lord would lay a precious and tested cornerstone for us, one that would give us a sure foundation, and those who rely on Him will not be “stricken with panic” (Isaiah 28:16). Later, the Bible tells us that Jesus is that Cornerstone. Trusting in Jesus, believing He died on the cross for us, receiving His mercy, and building our lives on Him…is so much better than building our lives on piles of sand. Consider taking a moment to read Matthew 7:24-27. How might Jesus be inviting you to build your life on Him today?

• How could it be comforting to know that Jesus was rejected by humans, just as we are from time to time, yet He was still chosen by the Father and precious to Him? God says we are chosen and precious to Him too. What else does He say about us? (Ephesians 1:4; 2:19-22; 1 Peter 2:5, 9)

The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad. Psalm 118:22-24 (NIV)