November 19
Psalm 118: 22: The stone which the builders refused, the same is
become the head stone of the corner.
There is an old story which has been passed
down through the ages. Whether it is
true, or not, we do not know. But it is
a good illustration. The story goes that
when Solomon’s temple was being built, amongst the stones was one that the
builders could not make fit anywhere in the building. They tried it here then there then another
place. But it was so different than the other stones it would not fit any place
that they tried to place the stone. Finally they became so vexed they threw it
to the side.
Many
years passed. The walls went up little by little. Over the years, moss began to
grow over the stone which lay to the side. No one acknowledged it. If they did,
they despised it when they remembered the trouble that the stone gave them. Year after year rolled by but the old stone
was never used by the builders.
Finally, the temple was almost finished. It
was nearing the time for the crowds to gather to see the grand sight, the new
temple. The builders only needed the top cornerstone. But there was a problem.
There were no more stones. Then someone
said, “Perhaps the stone which the builders refused is the head-stone of the corner.” So they hoisted the stone to the top of the
house. Sure enough it fit right into place. The crowd began to shout with
amazement, “The stone which the builders refused has become the head-stone of
the corner.”
Whether God moved in men to bring that
story to pass then preserved the saying in the scriptures for us may or may not
be the case. But it illustrates the
treatment Christ received and still receives on this earth. Christ was refused
of the builders, that is, his own countrymen after the flesh and is still
refused by sinners today when they hear the gospel. Yet, when Christ finished the work of
redemption God was so satisfied in Christ that he raised him to be Head of the
church. When God finishes gathering
together, in one, all things that are in heaven and in earth in Christ then
Christ shall be the glorious consummation of all things. Every knee shall bow
and every tongue shall confess, “the stone which the builders refused, the same
is become the head-stone of the corner.” Sinner, do not refuse him. Bow to him today and give him glory that you
were able to do so.