Week 5 – Day 27 (Friday)

Psalm 118:22-24 – The Cornerstone

In Matthew 21:33-46, Jesus again reveals an important truth to the Pharisees through the Parable of the Tenants. This story tells of a vineyard owner who rents his land to farmers and then leaves. At harvest time, he sends servants to gather the fruit, but the tenants seize them and beat them. The owner then sends more servants, but they face the same treatment. Finally, he decides to send his son, expecting the tenants to respect him, but they do not. Instead, the tenants kill the son.

After telling this story, Jesus asks the Pharisees what the owner’s response should be to the tenants. Their reply, “…bring those wretches to a wretched end and…rent the vineyard to other tenants…” (vs. 41), Jesus compares the Pharisees to these wretched tenants and the vineyard to the Kingdom of God. Through this story, He predicts His death at the hands of the Pharisees and the open access to the Kingdom of God for others. He quotes today’s scripture, Psalm 118:22, “The stone the builder rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvellous in our eyes.”

Jesus understood the rejection of that moment and what was ahead. If you are experiencing rejection today, be encouraged. We serve a Saviour who understands rejection and has been victorious. Lean on Him.