The Rejected Cornerstone

The Rejected Cornerstone

“This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.” Acts 4:11

Is there anything harder on the soul than being rejected? It hurts too much when someone rejects you. “What’s wrong with me? Am I not enough?” are the questions which we always ask. You must have thick skin to handle rejection. It can be a cruel thing to happen to anyone, and yet it happens to all of us sooner or later.

Maybe you have applied for a job. You believe it is the perfect fit for you. But your prospective employer has other ideas; Rejection. Maybe you have worked hard on a proposal or an idea at work. You know your boss will be delighted. Instead, they are more impressed by a co-worker’s idea; Rejection. And it happens to everybody.

Ken Taylor’s paraphrased version of the Bible, which he called The Living Bible was rejected by 63 publishers. He finally self-published it. Quite unexpectedly, The Living Bible became one of the biggest bestsellers of all time. The Diary of Anne Frank, a book that has inspired millions, was rejected 15 times, and called “very dull” by one publisher. Now it has become one of literature's legendary classics.

So take heart, dear brothers, and sisters. Rejection happens to everyone. But if you are unable to handle this fact of life, you will end up in trouble. Do not lose your strength and will. For the greatest story of rejection became the foundation of our Christian faith.

Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was rejected. We read in today’s lesson from Acts 4:11 “This is the stone, which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief (head) cornerstone.” Luke, the writer of Acts, was quoting this scripture from Psalm 118:22, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone”. Luke was saying that Jesus is the fulfillment of that prophecy. The powerful name of Jesus Christ, the cornerstone of Jesus Christ, the foundation of Christ was rejected by the world.

I. Jesus, the name of Power, was rejected:

Let’s look into the book of Acts chapter 3. There is a much beloved story about a lame man. “And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple, which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple;” (Acts 3:2) This was the first century equivalent of a welfare program. When this poor man saw Peter and John about to enter the gate, he asked them for money. “Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” (Acts 3:6) Then, taking the lame man by the right hand, Peter helped him up. Instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong, and he began walking and jumping, and praising God.

People who recognized this man were filled with wonder and amazement when they saw him. A huge crowd gathered, and Peter began preaching to the crowd about the resurrected Jesus and His power to heal. This disturbed the priests and the captain of the temple guard, for many who heard the message believed the two Apostles. In fact, that day the number of believers grew to about five thousand believers.

The Sadducees were disturbed by the Apostles’ claim that Jesus was resurrected from the dead. The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And so they seized Peter and John and had them put in jail. The following morning, those who were disturbed by the Apostles’ teachings, questioned Peter. “By what power or what name did you do this?” they asked. Instead of answering their question, Peter took the opportunity to do a little teaching.

Peter explained that everything they saw the disciples doing was not accomplished by their own power or strength, but by the power of the risen Christ. Peter confirms that this lame man was healed through the name of Jesus. This was the same Jesus whom the religious leaders had crucified but, in fulfillment of the scriptures, God had raised from the dead.

Peter further elaborates by repeating the beautiful verse already expressed in Psalm 118: “The stone you builders rejected . . . has become the cornerstone.” Jesus is now the Redeemer, and no one can go before the Father unless they come through Him.

II. Jesus, our cornerstone, was rejected:

Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4-5