REJECTED. Mark 12:10-11.

Posted bySteven WalesPosted inJesus/Christianity turned the world upside-down/Christian revolution, RejectionTags:, , , , , ,

“All of the other reindeer” reject Rudolf because of his freakish nose—then he saves Christmas. And the Ugly Duckling is ugly and awkward and the ducklings reject him. But he grows up to be a SWAN. Abraham Lincoln is similar: critics mocked his appearance, calling the tall, skinny man “the unlikely cross between a windmill and a derrick.” During his lifetime he was not highly regarded; today he is a hero.

Stone masons in Israel constantly sorted rocks: which stones are keepers, which are rejects? Some stones were large and symmetrical, easy to use in a building project, while others were unsuitable. And the most critical stone was the cornerstone. The cornerstone would be carefully placed first, then the entire structure slowly built one-stone-at-a-time from that beginning. Everything begins with the cornerstone.

Jesus compares Himself to one of those stones that is rejected. He quotes Old Testament prophecy:

“The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. The Lord has done this and it is marvelous in our eyes!” Mark 12:10-11 (quoting Psalm 118:22-23).

If Jesus is the rejected stone, the builders are the leaders of Israel. They considered Jesus unworthy to be an ordinary stone in the wall. They judged Him an enemy worthy of the death penalty. Yet God made Jesus not merely a stone, but the Chief Cornerstone—everything begins with One Who was rejected.

Imagine—”He came unto His own, and His own received Him not” John 1:12. Israel rejected its Messiah, crucified its Savior. Jesus is that Rejected Stone, but God made Him the Chief Cornerstone. What an amazing turnaround— “and it is marvelous in our eyes.” He was mocked, spat upon, beaten, whipped, nailed to a cross and left to die. Can you imagine a more thorough rejection?

Yet God raised Him up and builds His entire Kingdom on Jesus, the Chief Cornerstone. Everything is based on Jesus.

God, help us when we feel rejected. Help us look to You for comfort. Help us love You more. Redeem us and use us as stones to build Your kingdom.

ΑΩ

Published by Steven Wales

Dad's Daily Devotional began as text messages to my family. I wanted my teenagers to know their father was reading the Bible. But they were at school by then. Initially, I sent them a favorite verse or an insight based on what I read each day. That grew into drafting a devotional readng which I would send them via text. I work as an attorney and an adjunct professor, and recently wrote a book called HOW TO MAKE A'S.

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