These messages just seem to keep building on one another. We all remember the parable of the wise and foolish builders. The foolish builder built his house on the sand, and it was washed away when the storms came. However, the wise builder built his house house on “the rock” and his house withstood the Storm. When we hear His words and do them, we are trusting in Him to be our strength, and we are like the wise builder. Yet Jesus is so much more than “the rock.” Isaiah prophesied of Him saying,
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 relies on it will never be stricken with panic. Isaiah 28:16
How can we be sure this passage refers to Jesus.
- A tested stone – We specifically know that Jesus went into the desert and was tried and tested for 40 days. In addition to the testing that He otherwise faced at the hands of others in his time. There is the final test of his willingness to obey and give up His life for our sake.
- A prescious cornerstone – More than once are their instances where the audible voice of the Father was heard on Earth declaring His love and pleasure in Jesus, His only Son.
- Cornerstone – He is referred to as the “first born of many brothers and sisters.” He is the key component that separates Christianity from all other faiths and religions.
“Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame. Romans 10:11
Look at how the Amplified version translates this verse.
“For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him [whoever adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] will not be disappointed [in his expectations].”
When we fully rely on and trust in Him, He will not disappoint us. We can depend on Him amd His strength to overcome any trial or obstacle that we encounter. Again, when we hear and follow all that he asks of us we are like the wise builder.
Ephesians 2 and I Peter 2 both speak of Christ as the Chief Cornerstone and The Living Stone. These passages go on to describe us also as stones being built together as a holy temple for the presence of God by His Spirit.
As I previously mentioned, when we acknowledge our weakness and rely on His strength amd stand on The Rock, there is nothing that is impossible, all our fears and worries are swollowed up in His goodnees, grace and love.
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24-27
As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” Romans 10:11
[11] For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him [whoever adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] will not be disappointed [in his
expectations].” [12] For there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile; for the same Lord is Lord over all [of us], and [He is] abounding in riches (blessings) for all who call on Him [in faith and prayer]. [13] For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord [in prayer] will be saved.” Romans 10:11-13
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 relies on it will never be stricken with panic. Isaiah 28:16
[29] For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. Romans 8:29
[19] Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, [20] built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. [21] In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. [22] And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. Ephesians 2:19-22
[4] As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— [5] you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4-5