The New Testament speaks about a chief cornerstone and applies the image to Jesus. Peter quotes Isaiah 28:16 “Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame”. This picture of Jesus creates a division among people. You see, Jesus is either your Rock of Ages, or He is your Stone of Stumbling. There are no other options. Luke 19:17-18 “…the stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Whoever falls on that stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.” Notice there is no third option. One either repents or he perishes (Luke 13:3).
Those of us who are Christians are called to be “living” stones. We make up the spiritual house of God (the church). I Peter2:5 says we are a holy priesthood who are called on to offer up spiritual sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ. This will make our lives “lively”. An old television series was entitled “Wanted: Dead or Alive”. Such is not true when it comes to our place in the church. We must be ALIVE in Christ (Ephesians 2:5).
Greely Kirkpatrick