Thursday, February 2, 2017

CHRIST THE CORNERSTONE

An Interpretation from Ephesians


Ephesians 2:20
So, we are no longer strangers and aliens, but are citizens with the saints and members of the household of God; built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is jointed together and grown into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God."

Can you believe it? One cannot find the cornerstone for the U.S. Capitol in Washington. But back in the early days, a cornerstone was laid; and then, over the years, with the sinking of the building, and the surrounding alterations, nobody can recall exactly where it is.

N
ow, a cornerstone is laid at the beginning, in the foundation of a building. You build everything else upon this one cornerstone. And the letter to the Ephesians, using an architectural metaphor, Jesus says that is the cornerstone of the Church. Everything is built upon him. More to the point of Ephesians, a cornerstone is where two intersecting walls meet. In Christ, the walls between Jew and Gentile have been pulled down, and now the two meet in the cornerstone, Jesus.

Christians are those who believe that when we look at this Jew from first century Nazareth, we see as much of God as we ever hope to see. We believe that when he looks at us, he sees us as we really are. Our life is known only in his light. So, the whole Church, our faith, our relationship to God rests upon this foundation, this cornerstone. All the upward thrust of our spiritual aspirations meet at this capstone.

The Book of Isaiah has many references to the Messiah to come. In several places, Jesus is referred to as “The Cornerstone,” such as in Isaiah 28:16-17: So, this is what the sovereign Lord says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed. I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line." God is speaking to scoffers and boasters when He refers to the Cornerstone—His precious Son—who provides the firm foundation for their lives, if they would but trust in Him. Isaiah uses construction terminology (measuring line and plumb line) to make his point; these are things the people would understand.

In the New Testament the cornerstone metaphor is continued. This time, however, the Apostle Paul is preaching to the Ephesian Christians for the purpose of helping them know Christ better. In Chapter 2, verses 19-21, the comparison between Jesus and Cornerstone becomes very clear: “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 

In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.”

Furthermore, in the 1 Peter 2:6, what Isaiah said centuries before is affirmed in exactly the same words.

Verse 14: He tore down the wall we used to keep each other at a distance. (Differences between all the nations)

Verse15: Instead of continuing with two groups of people separated by centuries of animosity and suspicion, he created a new kind of human being, a fresh start for everybody. (Gentiles and Jews now followed Jesus, should still be following Him as if one)

Verse 16: Christ brought us together through his death on the Cross (Jew and Gentile one in Jesus)

Verse 18: and have equal access to the Father (through Jesus)

Verse 20: He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation (Built on their preaching and testimony) with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone (The most important stone. The stone giving support. Jesus  supports the church)

Verse 22: We see it taking shape day after day--a holy temple built by God, all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home. (By the Holy Spirit living in us)

In Christ,
Janet Irene Thomas
Playwright/Director/Screen Writer/Producer/Lyricist
Founder/CEO
Bible Stories Theatre of
Fine & Performing Arts

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