Wherefore also it is contained in the Scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief Corner Stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded. 1 Peter 2:6
The Old Arts Building on the Fredericton campus of the University of New Brunswick is the oldest university building in Canada that is still in regular use. Also known as Sir Howard Douglas Hall, and nicknamed the Old Pile, this solid stone structure has been designated as a national historic site, and has undergone a number of renovations, improvements, and expansions since its original construction. The cornerstone for this building was laid on September 11, 1826. Sometime around 1970, workers doing repairs to the building’s foundation discovered the cornerstone, whose exact location had been forgotten over time. This caused no small stir, as I witnessed as a reporter for the Daily Gleaner at that time. The university officials dug up this stone, and a ceremony was held to mark the unveiling of its contents. It contained some coins of the day, a local newspaper from 1826, and several other interesting artifacts. To some people, cornerstones can be very important. There is a Cornerstone spoken of in the Scriptures Who is of vital importance to God and to us.
Firstly, the Cornerstone is the fulfillment of prophecy, the fulfillment of God’s promises throughout the ages. Our text is quoting Isaiah 28:19, one of several Old Testament references to the Cornerstone. The Lord Jesus is the Cornerstone, as Peter declared during his great response to the Sanhedrin shortly after the day of Pentecost: ‘Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Whom ye crucified, Whom God raised from the dead, even by Him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the Stone Which was set at nought of you builders, Which is become the head of the corner. (Acts 4:10,11) <BR> Secondly, the Cornerstone is the foundation of the church, the vast Assembly composed of all those who have trusted Christ as Saviour and Lord. The Lord Jesus Himself declares this: ‘And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this Rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). So does the apostle Paul in his letter to the Assembly in Ephesus: ‘And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the Head over all things to the church, Which is His body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all’ (Ephesians 1:22,23).
Let us acknowledge today that the Cornerstone Who is precious to God is precious to us who have believed on Him. -Jim MacIntosh