The Stone the Builders Rejected
05/20/2025
“Haven’t you read this passage of Scripture: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone;’”
— Mark 12:10 (NIV)
Jesus spoke these words in the midst of a confrontation with the religious leaders. He had just told the parable of the tenants, an allegory that exposed how the leaders had consistently rejected God’s messengers and would ultimately reject God’s Son. But tucked into His rebuke is this profound truth: rejection does not equal disqualification in the Kingdom of God. In fact, the rejected one becomes the most important of all.
This verse is a quote from Psalm 118:22, and it paints a vivid picture of Jesus’ identity and mission. In ancient construction, the cornerstone was the first and most important stone laid in a building. It set the direction and alignment for every other stone. If the cornerstone was off, the whole building would be crooked. And yet, Jesus, the one the religious elite deemed unfit, was the very stone upon which God’s entire redemptive plan would rest.
Rejection is something every one of us will face. Maybe you’ve been passed over, misunderstood, or told you’ll never be enough. Maybe you’ve felt like your past mistakes or shortcomings have disqualified you from God’s purpose. But hear this: Jesus knows what rejection feels like. He was mocked, beaten, and ultimately crucified by those who should have celebrated Him. And yet, He rose and became the foundation of our faith.
Think of a time in your life when you felt rejected, by a friend, a parent, an employer, maybe even by the church. What if that very moment was not a sign of your unworthiness, but God’s way of setting you apart for something greater? Just as God exalted Jesus, He can redeem your rejection and use it as a building block for your purpose.
Here are so things you can do to help you on your journey.
Reflect on a moment of rejection and ask God to show you how He was working through it.
Write down what being “built on the cornerstone” means for your life today.
Encourage someone who feels left out or overlooked. Remind them of their value in Christ.
Pray and declare that Jesus, not approval from others, is your foundation.
Today, ask God to help you see rejection not as a wall but as a doorway into His greater purpose for you. Let Jesus be the cornerstone of your confidence.
Father, thank You for sending Jesus, the Cornerstone of my life. Even when others reject me, You have chosen me, redeemed me, and called me by name. Help me to build my life on the solid foundation of Your truth and not the shaky opinions of others. Use every rejection I’ve experienced to draw me closer to You and to shape me into who You’ve created me to be. I trust in Your perfect plans. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
“Haven’t you read this passage of Scripture: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone;’”
— Mark 12:10 (NIV)
Jesus spoke these words in the midst of a confrontation with the religious leaders. He had just told the parable of the tenants, an allegory that exposed how the leaders had consistently rejected God’s messengers and would ultimately reject God’s Son. But tucked into His rebuke is this profound truth: rejection does not equal disqualification in the Kingdom of God. In fact, the rejected one becomes the most important of all.
This verse is a quote from Psalm 118:22, and it paints a vivid picture of Jesus’ identity and mission. In ancient construction, the cornerstone was the first and most important stone laid in a building. It set the direction and alignment for every other stone. If the cornerstone was off, the whole building would be crooked. And yet, Jesus, the one the religious elite deemed unfit, was the very stone upon which God’s entire redemptive plan would rest.
Rejection is something every one of us will face. Maybe you’ve been passed over, misunderstood, or told you’ll never be enough. Maybe you’ve felt like your past mistakes or shortcomings have disqualified you from God’s purpose. But hear this: Jesus knows what rejection feels like. He was mocked, beaten, and ultimately crucified by those who should have celebrated Him. And yet, He rose and became the foundation of our faith.
Think of a time in your life when you felt rejected, by a friend, a parent, an employer, maybe even by the church. What if that very moment was not a sign of your unworthiness, but God’s way of setting you apart for something greater? Just as God exalted Jesus, He can redeem your rejection and use it as a building block for your purpose.
Here are so things you can do to help you on your journey.
Reflect on a moment of rejection and ask God to show you how He was working through it.
Write down what being “built on the cornerstone” means for your life today.
Encourage someone who feels left out or overlooked. Remind them of their value in Christ.
Pray and declare that Jesus, not approval from others, is your foundation.
Today, ask God to help you see rejection not as a wall but as a doorway into His greater purpose for you. Let Jesus be the cornerstone of your confidence.
Father, thank You for sending Jesus, the Cornerstone of my life. Even when others reject me, You have chosen me, redeemed me, and called me by name. Help me to build my life on the solid foundation of Your truth and not the shaky opinions of others. Use every rejection I’ve experienced to draw me closer to You and to shape me into who You’ve created me to be. I trust in Your perfect plans. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
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