How does Luke 20:18 illustrate the consequences of rejecting Jesus as the cornerstone? Setting the Scene Luke 20:18: “Everyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces. But on whomever it falls, it will crush him.” Jesus, the Cornerstone - Psalm 118:22: “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” - Jesus applies this prophecy to Himself (Luke 20:17). - As the cornerstone, He is both the foundation for salvation and the fixed point of judgment. Two Possible Collisions with the Stone 1. Falling on the Stone - Image: A person trips over the stone lying in the path. - Result: “Broken to pieces”—a shattering of pride, plans, and self-reliance. - Though painful, brokenness can lead to repentance and restoration (Isaiah 57:15; Psalm 51:17). 2. The Stone Falling on Us - Image: The stone descends in judgment, like the rock in Daniel 2:34-35, 44. - Result: “Crush him”—total, irreversible destruction. - This points to final judgment at Christ’s return (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). Why Rejection Brings These Consequences - Rejecting Jesus means rejecting God’s chosen foundation (Isaiah 28:16). - Stumbling shows unbelief and disobedience (1 Peter 2:7-8; Romans 9:32-33). - God’s justice requires that the One scorned as Savior becomes the One who executes judgment (John 5:22-23). Wider Biblical Echoes - Isaiah 8:14-15: Messiah as “a stone of stumbling… many shall stumble, fall, and be broken.” - Daniel 2:34-35, 44: The stone that crushes earthly kingdoms becomes a mountain filling the earth. - Matthew 21:42-44: Jesus repeats the warning, stressing national and personal accountability. Living in Light of Luke 20:18 - Embrace the Cornerstone: Build life, faith, and hope on Jesus alone (1 Corinthians 3:11). - Stay humble before Him: Let any needed breaking now spare us from crushing later (James 4:6-10). - Proclaim the warning and the welcome: The same Stone who judges is also “a tested stone, a precious cornerstone” for all who believe (Isaiah 28:16). |
    |