ADVENT BLOG Named by God - CHIEF CORNERSTONE

“Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets.

And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.”

(Ephesians 2:20)

We might not know what a linchpin looks like but, we know what it means to call someone a “linchpin” - he or she was the linchpin holding us together.  It might be used to describe a friend who ensures that we keep in touch with others or a family member keeps that a family together.  The latter often was the granny or the mum who opened up their house for the family together for a lunch on a Sunday ensuring a focal point for people to gather and keep in touch.  What is often said is that when they are no longer there, the group, be it family or friends, can sometimes fragment as people drift apart.

Church family is no different especially when we consider that we are such a mixed bunch of people.  We need something, or someone, to hold us together and while there might be folks in churches who do that, the someone we need to look to is Christ himself who is that chief cornerstone.

The cornerstone is also known as the foundation stone, the setting stone which is the first to be set in place before any building is built.  All other stones are in reference to him and in line with him.  He is the architect and builder, the foundation and the linchpin all of which we see in this verse in Ephesians.  We build on his teaching as we listen to him and learn what it means to relate to each other in community by looking at him and that great example of welcome and acceptance he set.  He is also the cement holding the stones together - love from him and between us, that cements a relationship and builds up a loving and effective team who are privileged to be called his “house”, his body here on earth.

“Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labour in vain.”

(Psalm 127:1)

When we push our own personal agendas or go off on our own way then the strength of the building, the body of Christ, is compromised.  It is only when we set our feet firmly on the rock which is Christ do we become the people together he wants us to be.

What does it mean to stand on the promises of God and have your life firmly set on the foundational example set by Christ?  What does it mean to have love as that cement holding us together?

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus' name.

On Christ the solid rock I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand.

AMEN.