Our Chief Cornerstone

This communion meditation was delivered at King's Cross Church (Moscow, ID) on March 24, AD 2024.

We are told that at the conclusion of the Last Supper, Christ’s final Passover meal with His disciples, they all sang a hymn together before departing for the Mount of Olives. Psalm 118 was most likely the hymn that they sang, as it was the final Hallel psalm traditionally sung at the end of the meal. 

In this psalm, there are many verses that, when read in light of Christ, are quite remarkable. I do recommend that you take the time to read it this week as you meditate upon Christ’s death and resurrection. This morning I want us to consider just one passage from it. Verses 22–24 read, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.”

Jesus referred to this psalm during His ministry, knowing exactly what it meant. He rebuked the chief priests and Pharisees with this passage, telling them that the kingdom of God was about to be taken from them and given to another nation bearing the fruits of it (Mt. 21:42–45). 

And so here we are, a people gathered that have received this Chief Cornerstone. As the Apostles wrote, we are no longer strangers and foreigners, but members of the household of God, being built up around our Chief Cornerstone. And as we partake of this meal together, as we commune with Christ and one another, we are being fitted together as living stones, growing into the holy temple of the Lord, the dwelling place of God’s Spirit (Eph. 2:19–22, 1 Pet. 2:1–8).

So come, and welcome, to Jesus Christ.