Let’s Talk Rocks
The idea of rocks and stones is used very often in scripture. Today, we heard that Jesus is the cornerstone. Throughout scripture, the terms for the stones in a building are often used as metaphors for God. Often, they are also interchanged. Depending on the translation, the same passage of scripture may use the words cornerstone, capstone, or keystone. While we can read different terms in varying translations, it is interesting to know their differences. It is also essential to know they are all correct. Together, they paint a rich and luxurious picture of God.
The cornerstone of a building is the first stone laid. It must be absolutely level and plumb, or the structure will be unstable. It is the foundation stone on which everything else depends.
The keystone is a trapezoidal-shaped stone placed at the top of an arch in a building. It is often the most decorated stone of the arch. The keystone is essential because it holds all the other stones of the arch in place. The arch-stones lean on the keystone. It gives the arch-stones strength and allows them to remain unwavering.
The capstone is the final stone placed on the structure. It is generally a decorative stone and is the crowning glory of the building. The capstone is the stone that says, “It is complete, finished, beautiful!”
Today’s Gospel reads, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone…” This means Jesus, rejected by those he came to save, is the most important stone. Jesus is the stone on which the Kingdom of God is built. He is the straight and true stone and holds the weight of the whole building of God’s Kingdom on earth.
But Jesus is also the keystone. He is the stone in the Kingdom that gives strength, holding up the arches (us). The power of Jesus as the keystone of the Kingdom is that His placement in our lives, history, and the Kingdom is the critical one that holds all other stones we value in our lives in place. Jesus, the Keystone, is the heart of the Kingdom, not just in name, but He is the center of our hearts. Our hearts are given strength and sustainability when they are united to the nature of Jesus. Jesus, through His life, death, and resurrection, is the keystone of our hearts.
Finally, Jesus is the capstone. He is the final Word of God spoken in covenant to His people. He is the crowning glory that says it is finished. Jesus is the last, the living Word of God. The Word that is Jesus teaches us how to live and build the Kingdom among us.
Perhaps all that seems rather academic and heady. So, let’s jump in with both feet and see what difference this makes for us.
Jesus is God. Jesus is the Alpha (Cornerstone), Omega (Capstone), and the lifeblood (Keystone) of everything in between.
We had best be set on an unwavering foundation to build the Kingdom within ourselves and our world. Our Cornerstone is Jesus. Jesus, who is the spoken Word of God. None of the other nonsense we let consume us matters even a speck. Everything we value and every rock we place on the Kingdom we are building through our lives must be plumb with Jesus. We must live lives that rest unabashedly on the strength of the Lord.
If we are to live the Kingdom in our actions, the name of Jesus will come quickly to our lips, and the Spirit of Jesus will thrive in our hearts. Our efforts to live rightly will flow with the lifeblood of Jesus. It is Jesus only who is the keystone that gives us strength.
If we are to create the Kingdom, we must know, beyond doubt, that the Capstone of our lives will be the same as the cornerstone. Jesus is our Omega. And even with the last breath of our earthly life, we will only speak the name of God.
In God’s Unending Love,
Gwen
