NOT rejected

There are ins with design choices these days. There are outs.

A cornerstone in ancient building practices? Always an in.

The longevity of any structure constructed thousands of years ago depended on this stone for two reasons. One, its position bore the weight of what was gathered to it, and two, the cornerstone served as a reference to set all other stones.

Historically, the cornerstone is the first stone placed for a structure’s foundation in prior to and during Jesus’ lifetime on earth it was very challenging to make the ground under a building completely level. To ensure a successful, longstanding structure, the lowest corner would be the location for the strongest, most important stone.

In present times, cornerstones are strategically positioned in places of prominence. We see cornerstones inscribed with a date of establishment. Cornerstones also commemorate events, organizations, or places.

Jesus calls Himself the Cornerstone. He chooses this imagery from Psalm 118:22, scripture dated hundreds of years before His birth.  Additionally, He says He is the stone the builders rejected.

The builders include the chief priests and the leaders of religious law. Though rejected by Israel’s leaders, Jesus, the stone, states He has become the cornerstone or “head of the corner.” He says of Himself that He is the most important stone in the structure.

This title fulfills ancient prophecy found in Isaiah 53:3. “He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care (NLT).”

Jesus knew He’d be rejected. He also knew He would suffer on a cross not just those who listened to and even loved Him, but all humanity. He didn’t die for some. He died for the sins of the world.

Go to His final moments of ministry before His death. Of the two criminals beside him who were also dying on equally painful crosses to His own, Jesus is present to both souls. I can’t imagine He only cared for the one whom He said He’d see in heaven. He loved them both.

Some clergy, pastors and preachers may take this differently. Some strongly uphold scripture that speaks to the chosen, the elect. While this scripture is rightly situated in the Bible, and we can’t pick and choose scripture based on whether we like it or not, my place clearly rests and rejoices in the love Jesus has for others—all others. For example, Jesus doesn’t turn from Judas. Judas turns from Him. Earlier, Jesus doesn’t ignore Zacchaeus. He invites Himself into the despised man’s home.

It is important to know that while Jesus was rejected, He never rejects us. In fact, throughout His ministry, He is present to those the culture of the day rejected, ignored, marginalized and likely victimized.

The author of Psalm139:7-12 agrees. When speaking of the Lord, we read, ^“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.  If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you (NIV).”

Speaking to darkness, Jesus didn’t spend three days in hell so that only a select number will live in heaven eternally. In other words, the Jesus I experience is not good with even some of us far from Him eternally. Those that don’t choose Him? Wow, I just can’t imagine the One who is love is good with this.

Lost sheep. He goes after them. The hungry. He feed them. The blind. He enables them to see. The deaf. He gifts them with hearing. The ritually unclean. He cleans and clears them. Inclusive love does not consider the have and the have nots. Inclusive love—Jesus’ love—doesn’t stop.

We can reject religion. We can reject Jesus Himself.

But this hasn’t—and this won’t—stop Him from His love for us.