Photo by Robert Harkness on Unsplash
By Mike Chaffin
Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? Matthew 21:42
Reading is fundamental to learning. Without reading we are relegated to just what we are taught or what we hear whether right or wrong. It is why there is so much emphasis in the early years to get children to read and comprehend. Reading is the key that unlocks learning. As a Christian the most important book we must read is the Bible. We must not only read it but understand what we are reading.
Let’s set the stage. Jesus triumphantly rides into town on the back of a donkey colt the day before our verse. The people shout,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’
Hosanna in the highest!” Matthew 21:9b
This praise is from Psalm 118. The Pharisees understand what is happening, they know this is also fulfillment of a prophecy in Zechariah. They ask Jesus to tell the crowd to stop. He replies that if they stopped worshipping Him, the stones would cry out. Then the next day Jesus is teaching in the temple, and He tells a parable about the evil stewards of the Vineyard. How they mistreated the master’s representatives and eventually killed the son. These same Pharisees, who witnessed Jesus triumphal entry, realize He is talking about them. After telling them this story Jesus asks our question of them. This is a quote of verses in Psalm 118. He knows they know the Psalm and is telling them who He is, and what they will do.
They rejected Jesus as the Messiah and crucified Him. But this was God’s plan (the Lord’s doing) to save humanity from death and slavery to sin. Jesus is the stone rejected but became the chief cornerstone on which the church is built. Not only that but He is the linchpin of salvation. A choice to follow Him results in salvation and eternal life. If we reject Him his judgement will fall on us and crush us into powder and we will be sent to eternal damnation.
The choice isn’t hard to make but people refuse to do so every day. They’ve never read or if they have, they either didn’t understand or refused to believe. Jesus’ teaching in parables and hard sayings are veiled to those who are perishing but are the bread of life to those who follow Him. When Jesus asks, “Have you read?” what will your answer be?
Understanding the message is key. Praying for wisdom and understanding, reading, studying, and getting with a good teacher or mentor are key to growing close to Christ.
Contemplation: Do I understand the Bible? If not, what steps do I need to take to further my walk with Christ?
