The concept of the "Rejected Cornerstone" is a significant biblical theme that appears in both the Old and New Testaments. It symbolizes Jesus Christ and His role in God's redemptive plan, despite being rejected by the religious leaders and people of His time.

Old Testament Background

The imagery of the cornerstone is rooted in the Old Testament, where it is used metaphorically to describe something essential and foundational. In Psalm 118:22, the psalmist declares, "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone." This verse is part of a messianic psalm that celebrates God's deliverance and victory. The cornerstone here is initially rejected by the builders, symbolizing the leaders of Israel, but ultimately becomes the most important stone in the structure.

Isaiah 28:16 further develops this imagery: "So this is what the Lord GOD says: 'See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken.'" This prophecy points to the coming Messiah, who will be the foundation of God's new covenant with His people.

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, Jesus explicitly identifies Himself as the rejected cornerstone. In the Parable of the Tenants, recorded in Matthew 21:42, Mark 12:10, and Luke 20:17, Jesus quotes Psalm 118:22 to illustrate how He, though rejected by the Jewish leaders, is central to God's plan: "Jesus said to them, '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"?'"

The Apostle Peter, in his address to the Sanhedrin in Acts 4:11, reaffirms this identification: "This Jesus is 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.'" Peter emphasizes that salvation is found in no one else, underscoring the cornerstone's critical role in God's salvific work.

Peter also writes in his first epistle, 1 Peter 2:6-7, "For it stands in Scripture: 'See, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.' To you who believe, then, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, 'The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.'" Here, Peter encourages believers by affirming their faith in Christ, the cornerstone, while acknowledging the rejection by those who do not believe.

Theological Significance

The rejected cornerstone theme highlights the paradox of Christ's mission. Though He was rejected by the religious authorities and many of His contemporaries, His rejection was part of God's divine plan for salvation. The cornerstone, once dismissed, becomes the foundation of the Church, the new spiritual temple of God.

This theme also serves as a warning and a call to faith. It warns against the danger of rejecting Christ, as the religious leaders did, and calls individuals to recognize and accept Jesus as the foundation of their lives. Believers are encouraged to build their lives upon this cornerstone, ensuring that their faith is anchored in the truth of the Gospel.

In summary, the rejected cornerstone is a profound biblical motif that encapsulates the mystery of Christ's rejection and exaltation, serving as a cornerstone for both individual faith and the collective identity of the Church.