It’s a common theme in God’s story: what we reject, God uses.
The things, people, ways of living we cast aside are exactly what God uses to build his kingdom. Thanks be to God that his building blueprints are very different from ours.
Why did the builders cast aside the stone in this passage? Perhaps they had a model in their head of what was needed, and that particular stone didn’t fit the mold. God’s architectural rendering must have differed from the one the builders were using. The builders’ blueprints based righteousness on good works, sacrifices, holy living, obedience to every letter of the law and every man-made rule that helped protect those laws. But God’s building had entirely different blueprints for righteousness. His plan made Jesus the capstone: righteousness is built on him alone. This is cause for great rejoicing! Thanks be to God!
The way has been opened for all of us through Jesus Christ, our cornerstone. This love, this way made for us, is the only love, the only way, that endures forever. The Lord has done this, and it is indeed marvelous in our eyes!
Today let us enter through that gate with rejoicing!
And let us also pray, God, show me where the blueprints I am following differ from the ones you have for me. Show me when I reject something you know is just what is needed. Where I am blind, let me see. Amen.
“You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the LORD for he is good; his love endures forever.”
Let all the people say, “His love endures forever!”
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 (ESV)
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them
and give thanks to the Lord.
This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it.
I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
We bless you from the house of the Lord.
The Lord is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us.
Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar!
You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you.
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
For Reflection and Prayer:
Was there a word, a phrase, an image, or a feeling that “shimmered” as you listened? Savor this with gentle hospitality.
Reflect on what you heard. Notice any felt sense that seems present. Listen with unhurried curiosity to what else may come. Perhaps you want to draw or journal this experience.
As the time of prayer comes to a close, share some moments of quiet with Jesus, simply resting safely in his presence.
