The concept of Jesus as the "Cornerstone" is a profound and central theme in Christian theology, symbolizing His foundational role in the Church and His fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. The imagery of the cornerstone is deeply rooted in biblical tradition, representing strength, stability, and the essential nature of Christ in the spiritual edifice of God's people.

Old Testament Foundations

The cornerstone metaphor finds its origins in the Old Testament, where it is used to describe the Messiah's pivotal role. In Isaiah 28:16, the prophet declares, "Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: 'Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken.'" This passage highlights the Messiah as a divinely appointed foundation, one that is reliable and unshakeable for those who place their trust in Him.

Psalm 118:22 further develops this imagery: "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone." This verse, often cited in the New Testament, underscores the paradox of the Messiah's rejection by His own people and His ultimate exaltation as the cornerstone of God's redemptive plan.

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, Jesus explicitly identifies Himself as the cornerstone, fulfilling the prophetic vision of the Old Testament. In Matthew 21:42, Jesus quotes Psalm 118:22 to the religious leaders, saying, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: 'The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?" Here, Jesus asserts His role as the cornerstone, rejected by the leaders of Israel yet chosen by God as the foundation of His kingdom.

The Apostle Peter, in his address to the Sanhedrin in Acts 4:11, reaffirms this truth: "This Jesus is 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.'" Peter emphasizes that salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).

Theological Significance

The Apostle Paul also elaborates on the cornerstone motif in his epistles. In Ephesians 2:19-22, he writes, "Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord." Paul presents Jesus as the cornerstone of the Church, the essential element that unites believers into a spiritual temple.

Similarly, in 1 Peter 2:4-7, Peter describes believers as "living stones" being built into a spiritual house, with Christ as the "precious cornerstone." This passage emphasizes the honor and value of Christ as the cornerstone, chosen by God and precious to those who believe.

Rejection and Acceptance

The cornerstone metaphor also conveys the dual response to Jesus: rejection by some and acceptance by others. As prophesied, Jesus was rejected by the religious authorities of His time, yet He became the cornerstone of a new covenant community. This rejection and subsequent exaltation are central to the Christian understanding of Jesus' mission and the establishment of the Church.

Conclusion

The image of Jesus as the cornerstone encapsulates His role as the foundation of faith, the fulfillment of prophecy, and the unifying force of the Church. As the cornerstone, Jesus is the essential element upon which the entire structure of Christian belief and community is built, offering stability, unity, and salvation to all who believe.