February 26, 2020
Christ Alone, Cornerstone
Luke 20:1–18
Celin Baird
Central Truth
With Jesus as our cornerstone and foundation, we are able to align our lives with Him.
Key Verse | Luke 20:17
But he looked directly at them and said, "What then is this that is written: 'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone'?"
Luke 20:1–18
The Authority of Jesus Challenged
1 One day, as Jesus 1 20:1 Greek he was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up 2 and said to him, “Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority.” 3 He answered them, “I also will ask you a question. Now tell me, 4 was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?” 5 And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ 6 But if we say, ‘From man,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” 7 So they answered that they did not know where it came from. 8 And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
The Parable of the Wicked Tenants
9 And he began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and let it out to tenants and went into another country for a long while. 10 When the time came, he sent a servant 2 20:10 Or bondservant; also verse 11 to the tenants, so that they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 11 And he sent another servant. But they also beat and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. 12 And he sent yet a third. This one also they wounded and cast out. 13 Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’ 14 But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.’ 15 And they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When they heard this, they said, “Surely not!” 17 But he looked directly at them and said, “What then is this that is written:
‘The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone’?
3
20:17
Greek the head of the corner
18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”
Dive Deeper | Luke 20:1–18
Before this passage, Jesus made His triumphal entrance, cleaned house, and began teaching in the temple. In Luke 20:1-16, we see the Jewish leaders questioning Christ's authority with the intent of trapping Him with their questions. Instead, Jesus turns the questioning on them and exposes their motives.
In Luke 20:17, we see the builders (Jewish leaders) reject the stone (Jesus), who is the cornerstone. Jesus quotes Psalm 118:22 in this verse to illustrate that their rejection of the Messiah was prophesied. A cornerstone is the first stone that is laid when constructing a masonry foundation. Also, the cornerstone is considered the most important stone in the building, as all other stones are laid in reference to it. While studying architecture in college, I learned that one of the most important components in a building is the foundation. If the foundation has not been carefully planned and engineered, the building will not stand strong.
In this text, Jesus is the indispensable stone that would become the Head of the Church. Isaiah 28:16 foretells the cornerstone and how God, the architect, lays down the cornerstone—the solid foundation for the new church.
My life before Christ was built on a weak and unstable sand foundation comprised of guilt and shame, fear, and low self-worth. Because the foundation of my heart was unsteady, the walls of my heart collapsed and suffered great damage when storms in my life came through. I was the foolish one whose house was built on sand (Matthew 7:26-27).
Through Christ's love, forgiveness, and grace, I have been able to find freedom, peace, and identity in Him. Psalm 40:2 states, "He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure." After accepting Christ and building my life on His Word, my foundation has been steady, solid, and unshakeable.
When we submit ourselves to Christ, our lives, outlook on life, and character change. Our old sinful ways are no longer part of us (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Discussion Questions
1. Is Christ the foundation of your life?
2. If Christ is not the foundation of your life, then what is holding you back?
3. If Christ is the foundation of your life, then is He the focus of your life, or are you distracted with other things?
4. What is your "sand" comprised of, such as pride, fear, control, lack of trust? Join us at re:generation, Watermark’s 12-step biblical recovery ministry to find hope in Christ, the Cornerstone.