The Rejected Stone

I want to share some thoughts with you that came my way during my study time concerning this wonderful time of the year that we know as Easter.

Glance at Matthew, chapter 21. This chapter starts off with people celebrating Jesus coming into the city of Jerusalem. They are crying, “Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest!"

He immediately goes to the temple and clears it out of those taking advantage of people who wanted to worship and then He heals the blind and lame. This made the religious folks (chief priests and teachers of the law) very upset.

The next day Jesus re-enters the city teaching in parables and one parable is about a vineyard. Here it is paraphrased: “There was an owner of a vineyard. The vineyard was well kept and ready for the harvest, but the owner had to leave for awhile. The owner rented the vineyard to some farmers for a little bit of time, and when it came time to harvest the grapes the owner sent three of his servants to harvest the fruit. The tenants killed all three of them. The farmer then sent more servants down for the harvest, yet the tenants killed them also. Next the owner sends his very own son down to the vineyard, saying that they will respect him. But they do not and kill him off for his inheritance.”

I have come to the realization that this is a harsh picture of me and everyone that does not surrender to Christ. If we had been there years ago, it would have been us yelling, “crucify him!”

It is after this parable that Jesus quotes Psalm 118:22, 23. He says, “"The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes."”

This very stone, Jesus was despised and rejected. The builders referred to in the passage are the rulers of the people and chief priests. The rejection of the stone was the crucifixion of Jesus and the elevation of the stone to the head of the corner is the resurrection of Jesus.

I believe that we need to see our true condition without Him in our lives, before we can truly love to the fullest the Easter story. One of my favorite chapters in the Old Testament is Isaiah 53, the prophesy of the coming Messiah. I would encourage you to read it this season. It’s not pretty, but then neither is salvation. It has a cost!

I am so glad that the story carried further than the crucifixion! God would have every right to just write off mankind after killing His very own Son, but thankfully the story continues. He rises after three days, is seen by His followers and then is seated at God’s right hand. (Eph. 1:20-22)

Easter is a season of renewal, a season of hope. It gives us a reason to live no matter what our circumstances are. He is coming back again.

Enjoy this season with your family and friends!