The most important part of a building in the ancient world was the cornerstone. It was the most expensive and largest of all the stones in the building, carefully constructed and the strongest.

The reason for this was because the cornerstone was the visible part of the building’s foundation and the starting point for all future building on that foundation. It was also the point at which two walls were joined, giving them their line and direction.

There is a story in Jewish tradition that when Solomon’s Temple was being constructed, the builders found an oddly shaped stone which they didn’t think was meant for the building, so they cast it aside.

But when it came time to lay the cornerstone, they discovered it was missing; it wasn’t too long however, before they realized their mistake and quickly retrieved the rejected stone and set it in its rightful place!

Mark 12:10 is a direct quote of Psalm 118:22 and is seen as a prophetic reference to Jesus as God’s Messiah – despised and rejected by the religious leaders, His own people, and the whole world, yet the One chosen by God to bring salvation to all who place their trust in Him.

As the cornerstone of the church, Jesus is the One Who gives us direction and a strong and certain foundation we can build our faith on.

And as our cornerstone, He encourages us in the tough times. We may be rejected by others because of our faith in Him, but He knows what this is like, and His example of faithful trust in His Father gives us the courage and strength to persevere.

Years later, Peter wrote to encourage believers who were feeling the sting of rejection by others for their faith. He reminded them that their faith was built on Jesus, the Chief Cornerstone and as a result, they were “living stones and a holy priesthood” in the eyes of God.

You may be feeling the pain of rejection right now, but take courage, for your faith is built on the sure foundation of Jesus, God’s Cornerstone!

Today’s Bible reading: Mark 12:13-17