The Names Of Jesus - “A Precious Cornerstone”

The Names Of Jesus - “A Precious Cornerstone”

Isaiah 28:16

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a Stone, a Tested Stone, a Costly Cornerstone for the foundation, firmly paced.”

The cornerstone of a building is important for the integrity of the structure but there is so much more to what a cornerstone does. It is the stone upon which the whole foundation rests. It orients the building in a specific direction, it provides a reference point for the shape, size and design of the structure and its placement marks the start of something new and exciting.

All of those things come into play when we think about Jesus being the cornerstone of our faith. But, I want us to think for a minute about what actually went into a cornerstone. I mean, literally, inside the cornerstone.

In the ancient world, cornerstones were treated with a special type of attention and fanfare, just like they are today. Just as we have ground-breakings and ribbon-cuttings, the ancient world gave special attention to the cornerstones of their new buildings.

It was not unusual to inscribe it with a name or a date or make it a distinctive color but, in the ancient world, cornerstones were often hollowed out with precious items placed in them.

These valuable and symbolic items were entrusted to a “precious” cornerstone where they were safe and secure. Nothing would harm them or take them. The cornerstone protected the item which actually became a part of the building.

Now, think of Jesus as The Cornerstone of your faith. What precious item would you entrust to Him as you help Him build His church on earth? If you can’t think of anything, it’s because you are thinking too small. You don’t have anything of value to offer because the precious item is you. You are the only thing you have that is worth that much.

He offers you a place in the Temple He is building. A safe and secure place in the Tested and Precious Cornerstone that is Jesus Christ.