SCRIPTURE
"The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but anyone on whom it falls will be crushed." (Luke 20:17-18)
OBSERVATION
Jesus had just told a parable about an owner who rented his vineyard to tenants. At harvest time he sent three of his servants, who the tenants in turn beat and sent away empty handed. Finally the owner sent his son, thinking the tenants would respect him. However, the tenants threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. The builders (the tenants) rejected the stone (the son).
Jesus told this parable about himself. The builders (God's people) were in charge of building the kingdom, the house of God. Yet, they rejected the Messiah (the main part of the building) who became the chief cornerstone of a new building, the church.
With regards to that stone there are two observations. First, a person can fall on it. Everyone who does will be broken. Or, the stone can fall on a person. Anyone on whom it falls will be crushed. Jesus seems to be contrasting these two options. He states one, then the other. And the second option is the less desirable. Does that mean the first option is more desirable?
APPLICATION
Maybe the first part of the equation (falling on the stone) is not such a bad thing. Isn't that what it means to live for Christ? Falling on him, living a crucified life, allowing him to break me of my pride and self-centerdness. It means walking in humility and allowing Jesus to break up the fallow ground in my life. Perhaps he wants me to live broken to pieces. It leaves me only with one choice. I can choose to fall on him and live the emptied out life. If I don't choose that option, he will fall on me, the crushing of judgment. I think I'll choose to be broken. It's the Humpty-Dumpty life with a major twist...the King can, and does, put me back together again.
PRAYER
Lord, I desire for my life to be broken, poured out, and lived on the chief cornerstone of Christ.
