Why Jesus Was Rejected: The Secret of God’s Cornerstone

Scripture for Study: Psalms 118:22

The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

Repeated multiple times across the Bible, the term rejected cornerstone refers to Jesus, His persecution and ultimate crucifixion by his own people.

Think of it in terms of architecture, why would the builders reject a stone?

Common sense tells us that for a stone to be rejected it either has to be defective or not as per the required standards.

So, applying the same principles, we can infer that Jesus was rejected as the Messiah because He didn’t fit the bill.

The bill of His people who had expected someone bigger, better, larger-than life than Jesus seemed to be.

Reasons Why Jesus Was Rejected

According to the religious leaders and the unbelievers of His time, Jesus had the following “defects” which made Him unworthy of being the Messiah.

Commonplace Teachings

Jesus’ preachings were allegedly too simple, too contradictory to their way of life. In His parables, which often used everyday imagery and commonplace examples, the poor were elevated while the rich humbled.

No Opposition to the Romans

The Messiah was to free His people, which implied overturning the Roman reign, and yet here was Jesus preaching the gospel of peace! Let alone overturn, His sermons glorified the meek stating that they would inherit the Earth. (Matthew 5:5)

Upholding Grace, Not Law

Jesus constantly spoke about mercy and grace while the religious leaders glorified law-based righteousness. For Him forgiveness and healing went hand-in-hand, an idea unheard of. (Matthew 9:1-8)

Humble Earthly Origin

The fact that Jesus was related to a carpenter made it even more unbelievable that He could be the Messiah.

And that too from Nazareth? In Jesus’ disciple’s own language, “what good could ever come from Nazareth? (John 1:46)

Unfortunately, even today, there are many who refuse to believe the gospel for these very reasons.

And yet the empty grave tells a different story. Our Savior is alive!

The Key to Knowing the Rejected Stone

You and I have an advantage the religious leaders and the people of Jesus’s generation didn’t have. Without any additional help, those people had to figure it out for themselves.

Well, we too must believe and receive, but considering how many came proclaiming to be the Messiah (Acts 5:36-39) that generation’s doubts were logical, if not valid.

But there was something about Jesus which even persecutions couldn’t kill.

Thousands of years later we are building our lives on this cornerstone, the solid rock of God’s promises, knowing beyond a shade of doubt that we won’t be put to shame! (1 Peter 2:6)

What is the source of this firm conviction?

It’s the Holy Spirit!

If Christ is the cornerstone, the Holy Ghost is the mortar that joins us together to Him as one single body, the church of Christ.

For nobody can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:3)

And that’s why we don’t need anyone to teach us, because the anointing of the Holy One abides in us and teaches us all things! (1 John 2:20, 27)

Indeed, faith comes by hearing the word of God, (Romans 10:17) so we do need preachers and teachers and evangelists.

But the good, even the greatest news ever is that all of us in Christ have equal standing with Him and can approach his throne with boldness in times of need.

We can know Him for ourselves- one on one and have a personal, intimate relationship with our Savior, our unshakeable cornerstone.

May we grow in His wisdom and love Him all the more,

May we be found in awe of His beauty and grace, every night and every morn!

In Jesus Name
Amen!