Jesus Christ: The Stone Rejected By The Builders.
Jesus told the parable of a landowner who planted a vineyard, entrusted it to tenants, and sent servants to receive its fruit. The tenants beat, stoned, and killed the servants. Finally, the owner sent his beloved son, saying, “They will respect my son.” Instead, the tenants murdered him, hoping to seize the inheritance ( See Matthew 21:33-39).
Jesus then asked what the owner would do. His hearers rightly answered that he would judge those wicked tenants and give the vineyard to others who would produce its fruit.Jesus then applied the parable directly to Israel’s religious leaders: “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone… Therefore the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a people producing its fruits… Whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.” (Matthew 21:42-44)
The builders represented the religious authorities who were entrusted with leading the people of God into the knowledge of the Father and His will for their lives. Jesus exposed the religious authorities, He showed them in their true colours. They prized honour to themselves, they craved the highest position, and sought after the approval of men, yet they openly rejected the very Son whom the Father had sent. They claimed to be the stalwarts of the knowledge of God while refusing His Messiah.
The Rock of Salvation or the Rock of Offence
Jesus declared: Whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder. Matthew 21:44
These words are not confined or restricted to the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. In reality, they confront every person living today. There is a dividing line laid down at the feet of humanity; Jesus Christ is either presented as man’s Rock of Salvation or their Rock of Offence. There is a profound difference between people falling on the Stone and the Stone falling upon them.
To fall upon the Stone is to come willingly in humility, repentance, and faith. It is to lead to or produce the breaking of our pride, of man’s self-sufficiency, and self-confidence. Such brokenness is not destruction but the beginning of restoration.
Whereas when the Stone falls upon a person, it speaks of final judgment. Herein is a vital revelation that everyone must understand: what is broken may be restored, but what is crushed to powder is beyond recovery.
Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit.
Jesus declared: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3). To be poor in spirit is not to be materially poor. It is to recognise one’s complete spiritual bankruptcy before Almighty God. Many possess little in this world yet remain rich in their pride. Others come to the end of themselves, acknowledging that they have nothing with which to commend themselves to the Father. This is the poverty that the Father blesses.
The Holy Spirit reveals to such hearts that salvation is entirely by the Father’s grace through Jesus Christ. Those who are poor in spirit abandon self-reliance and receive the riches of Almighty God’s mercy, forgiveness, and eternal life.
Herein is a truth that must be firmly understood. For the believer, remaining poor in spirit means living in continual dependence upon Jesus Christ rather than trusting in one’s personal strength.
For the unbeliever, it means acknowledging spiritual emptiness before the Father. Until pride is surrendered, the kingdom remains closed. Whereas pride blinds, deceives, and destroys the lives of people; humility opens the door to life.
The Father has set His Son before the whole human race. Every person must answer one question: What will you do with Jesus Christ? Will you fall upon the Rock in repentance and receive forgiveness, eternal life, and reconciliation with the Father?
Or will you reject the Chief Cornerstone and one day face Him as Judge? Long ago, the Lord declared to Israel: “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore choose life.” (Deuteronomy 30:19). That same choice confronts humanity today. The Father has placed before you eternal life through His Son or eternal separation without Him.