The Names and Titles of Jesus

Cornerstone

Isaiah 28:16 : "Therefore, thus says the Lord God, Behold I am laying in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation; he who believes will not be in haste." 

The stone at the top of the arch holds the arch together. Without its strength and correct positioning, the arch would fall. Like the cornerstone, the keystone is an image of Jesus. The one rejected by many has become the centre of our faith and our lives. People's rejection of Jesus only strengthens his relationship with his father, who makes him the keystone and the centre of gospel-faith. He knows our weakness and the pain of rejection; is this what makes us want to be close to him and to follow him closely?

The cornerstone also holds together two walls, so Christ joins together Christians, into one body dedicated to God.  A cornerstone also contributes to sustain the edifice, binding the rest of the structure into a building that can stand against all threats to destroy it.

There is a famous story from Sparta. A Spartan king boasted to a visiting monarch about the walls of Sparta. The visiting monarch looked around and could see no walls. He said to the Spartan king, "Where are these walls about which you boast so much?" His host pointed at his bodyguard of magnificent troops. "These," he said, "are the walls of Sparta, every man a brick."

In order for the Church to remain a stronghold of faith, and by that I don’t mean bricks and mortar but the flesh and blood of those who rely upon and follow Jesus Christ,  is that we should remain firmly aligned to Him, the Cornerstone

1 Behold the sure Foundation-stone

Which God in Zion lays

To build our heav’nly hopes upon

And His eternal praise

2 Chosen of God, to sinners dear,

And saints adore the name;

They trust their whole salvation here,

Nor shall they suffer shame.

3 The foolish builders, scribe and priest,

Reject it with disdain;

Yet on this Rock the Church shall rest,

And envy rage in vain.

4 What though the gates of hell withstood,

Yet must this building rise.

’Tis Thy own work, Almighty God,

And wondrous in our eyes.

Charles Wesley