The concept of the "Rejection of the Cornerstone" is a significant theme in both the Old and New Testaments, symbolizing the rejection of Jesus Christ by the religious leaders of His time and, by extension, those who refuse to accept His messianic role. This theme is rooted in the imagery of a cornerstone, a crucial element in ancient construction, which serves as the foundation and standard for the building's alignment and stability.

Old Testament Background

The cornerstone metaphor originates in the Old Testament, where it is used to describe the Messiah. Psalm 118:22 states, "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone." This verse is part of a messianic psalm that celebrates God's deliverance and victory, and it prophetically points to the coming of Christ, who would be rejected by the leaders of Israel.

Isaiah 28:16 further develops this imagery: "So this is what the Lord GOD says: 'See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken.'" Here, the cornerstone is depicted as a foundation of faith and security, emphasizing the reliability and divine origin of the Messiah.

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, Jesus explicitly identifies Himself as the cornerstone, fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies. In the Parable of the Wicked Tenants (Matthew 21:33-46, Mark 12:1-12, Luke 20:9-19), Jesus recounts the account of a landowner whose servants and son are rejected and mistreated by the tenants. He concludes with a direct reference to Psalm 118:22, saying, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: 'The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?" (Matthew 21:42).

The apostle Peter, in his address to the Sanhedrin, reiterates this theme in Acts 4:11: "This Jesus is 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.'" Peter emphasizes that salvation is found in no one else, underscoring the essential role of Christ as the foundation of faith.

Theological Significance

The rejection of the cornerstone signifies the broader rejection of Jesus by the Jewish leaders and many of His contemporaries. Despite His fulfillment of messianic prophecies and His demonstration of divine authority through miracles and teachings, Jesus was not accepted by those who were expected to recognize Him. This rejection is a pivotal moment in redemptive history, leading to the crucifixion and subsequent resurrection of Christ, which opens the way for salvation to all who believe.

The cornerstone metaphor also serves as a warning and a call to faith. In 1 Peter 2:6-8, Peter writes, "For it stands in Scripture: 'See, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.' To you who believe, then, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, 'The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,' and, 'A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.'" This passage highlights the dual response to Christ: belief leading to honor and rejection leading to stumbling.

Conclusion

The rejection of the cornerstone is a profound biblical theme that encapsulates the tension between divine revelation and human response. It challenges individuals to recognize Jesus as the foundation of their faith and warns of the consequences of rejecting Him. The cornerstone, once rejected, becomes the central element of God's redemptive plan, inviting all to build their lives upon it.