I’ve heard this phrase, “hard as a rock” many times, especially when trying to dig in hard ground. Rocks and stones are among the hardest surfaces known to man. Sometimes people use this phrase to describe something harder than you would expect it to be. Another phrase I’ve heard used about people is, “solid as a rock.” It means they are stable, very reliable, and dependable. When something is solid as a rock it is almost impossible to move.
Everything needs a solid “as a rock” foundation. Something that will hold up under great pressure. In I Peter 2:6, Peter is quoting Isaiah 28:16. He is speaking of Jesus as the Cornerstone. A precious foundation. He is a sure foundation that will always stand true and strong. The cornerstone was the first stone put down. It was the beginning, and from it, all other stones were placed. It was the largest and the strongest of all stones.
Isaiah 28:16 “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.”
In the commentary by Albert Barnes, he explains verse 6 like this. “The application of the term “rock” to the Messiah is derived from the custom of building, as he is the “cornerstone” or the “immovable foundation” on which the church is to be built. It is not on human merits, but by the righteousness of the Savior, that the church is to be reared.”
I Peter 2:6-8 “Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.”
Jesus Christ himself is the chief cornerstone. He is the cornerstone of the church, but to the Jews, he became the rock that they stumbled over. The idea here is that He was a cornerstone that protruded out from the building and they were constantly tripping over this stone. They could not accept Him as their Lord and Master. His rejection became their ruin. In Matthew 21:44, Jesus speaks about those who rejected Him. Those who reject Him even today will be broken in the end. Their life will be worth nothing and in the end, they will be destroyed.
Matthew 21:44 “And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever, it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.”
The church is not a building, but it is the body of believers who have placed their faith in the chief Cornerstone. Each of us is to be stones that fit together with other believer stones. We fit together to make a building that is anchored on Christ and Christ alone. Its foundation is secure, unmovable, hard, and strong. Nothing can break the Cornerstone and as long as the lively stones, the believers, are anchored on it, they also are secure. It is crucial to remember that what makes us as living stones fit together in a cohesive unit, is making sure the cornerstone is in place. I think sometimes we get so caught up in trying to reach the world, the world’s way, we forget to keep the main thing in place. When that happens it is very easy for stones to slip out of place. They begin searching for their place and other things become their anchor. Sometimes music replaces the word, and feelings determine what is true, not the word of God. This is a dangerous slippery slope. When one stone gets out of place all the stones become vulnerable and this affects the entire building.
Are you anchored to The Cornerstone? Are you staying connected and working with other Christians to accomplish God’s purpose for leaving you here? You were left here to be a witness for Him. He chose to use us to take lost souls to the Cornerstone. If the purpose for us being here after salvation was to have a good life, He would take us on to Heaven. There, we will have the best life forever. Until then make sure you are fitting together with other stones anchored on the Chief Cornerstone. Stay solid and secure. Then get busy finding others that need to be connected to complete the building.
