The Road Devotional | Lent 2024

Jesus looked directly at them and asked, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written: “‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’? Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.” The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.

 Luke 20:17-19

This section comes at the end of a teaching that Jesus does in the temple in Jerusalem relating to authority. The threat of the religious leaders is ever present. While teaching the people in the temple Jesus is often interrupted by these leaders in order to ask questions; usually loaded questions. They aren’t completely aware. They know that Jesus speaks against them. They know that what he preaches and the lifestyle he chooses confronts and threatens them and their system of power. So they are constantly trying to trap him, and to have him arrested.

Q. Have you ever felt like somebody was just waiting for you to slip up or say the wrong thing?

The stone that Jesus is referring to is himself. This imagry of a stone that has been rejected for use in building is an easily understood allegory. Where Jesus turns it on his head is that, this rejected stone has now become the cornerstone. In construction, the cornerstone is the most important stone in the building. It was usually the most solid and carefully constructed. The integrity of the entire building relied on the cornerstone.

Q. Does your faith rely on Jesus in this way? What is your cornerstone?

God, we confess that at times we have faltered, seeking to build our lives on shifting sands rather than on the solid rock. Grant us, O Holy Spirit, the wisdom and discernment to build our lives upon the sure foundation of Jesus Christ. May His teachings guide our thoughts, His example shape our actions, and His promises sustain us so that we might experience abundant life.

Amen.