Christ Our Cornerstone

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The Cornerstone

In masonry, a cornerstone is the very first stone that is laid in the building of a new construction. It is a reference point to all other stones in the structure — everything is aligned according to the cornerstone. It also marks the geographical location of the building by determining the building’s entire direction. Historically, it was a crucial support stone in the building, since it was placed at the corner of two walls and held significant weight. It was a key structural element that maintained the building’s alignment and stability, which made it the most important stone in the foundation. There is often an inscription on the stone indicating the construction dates or names of the people involved in the construction. It was critical to ensure that the cornerstone was square, level, and perfect; if not, the error would become more and more exaggerated as the construction was built up. Builders rejected any stones that they thought were flawed or unsuitable in the overall construction of the building, especially overlooking it as potential to be a crucial cornerstone. They may use it in a less important place in the structure, or reject it all together.

The Rejected Stone

So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic. 

Isaiah 28:16

Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “’The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?

Matt. 21:42

As a cornerstone determines the beginning, Christ was in the beginning with God — He is “before all things” and “all things were made through Him” (Col. 1:16-17). He “holds all things together,” like the cornerstone that provides crucial structural support to a building (Col 1:17). As a cornerstone determines the construction of a building, Christ determined the whole world and all of its history — Christ is God’s reference point for creation. Christ the Cornerstone also has an inscription on Him — “And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name inscribed, ‘KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS’” (Rev. 19:16). 

God used man’s rejection of Christ for His plan. The Jewish people rejected Christ as their Messiah, because He exposed their hypocrisy and flaws in regard to God’s true law. They were offended by His light, fulfilling the prophecy of Christ becoming a rock of offense and stumbling stone to them (Isa. 8:14). Jesus said to them, “Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed,” emphasizing their blindness and grave error in rejecting Him and His words (Mat. 21:44). Isaiah prophesied that Christ would be “despised and rejected by mankind . . . we esteemed him not,” like a rejected stone is thrown aside and disregarded (Isa. 53:3).

Unbelievers continue to stumble on the Cornerstone by rejecting Him and His message: “They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for” (1 Pet. 2:8). Believers recognize the Cornerstone and regard Him as choice and precious. We are made unto living stones, rejected by people but precious in the sight of God, and built upon the cornerstone into a spiritual house for God to “offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 2:7). We are “fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit” (Eph. 2:19-22).