1718. The Set Stone

The Set Stone

"The Stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner" (Psa_118:22).

We leave the story of the Stone that was smitten, to consider the Stone that was set, as the head of the corner.

1. We have before us, a vision of Christ, risen, ascended, and seated at the right hand of God. The 118th Psalm, Psa_118:19-20, is giving us a picture of the open gates through which the Lord would ascend to the Father's side. These gates are called, "the Gates of Righteousness!" "the Gate of the Lord."

We are at once reminded of the 24th Psalm, where, as the Lord ascends up through the skies, the glorious refrain is heard:

"Lift up your heads, O ye gates,

Even lift them up, ye everlasting doors;

And the King of glory shall come in" (Psa_118:9, \1911 Bible).

These are the words which the accompanying angels seemed to cry as they looked toward the doors of eternity. The response is grandly given:

"Who is this King of glory?

The Lord strong and mighty,

The Lord mighty in battle:

He is the King of glory" (Psa_118:8, Psa_118:10).

Thus, in Psalms 118, the Lord ascends through the open gates, and then our key verse is given:

"The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner" (Psa_118:22).

A few striking statements are immediately recorded:

(1) "This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes" (Psa_118:23).

(2) "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it" (Psa_118:24).

(3) "Save now, I beseech Thee, O Lord" (Psa_118:25).

(4) "Blessed be He that cometh in the name of the Lord" (Psa_118:26).

In the paragraphs above, there is first of all a blessed recognition of the glory of God, made manifest in the resurrection. Next, there is the recognition of the first day of the week, which is forever the "day of rejoicing and of gladness," the day of resurrection. Following that, there is the far-sweeping vision of the power of the risen Christ; and, then, last of all, there is the picture of His return.

2. We have before us, a vision of the New Testament corroborations of the setting of the Stone. There are two of these corroborations:

(1) Jesus Christ has related the parable of the householder, and his vineyard. He has described how, finally, the son was sent to gather the fruit of the vineyard, and how he was seized and slain–then Christ, finishing His parable, said unto them: "Did ye never read in the Scriptures, The Stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes" (Mat_21:42).

The chief priests and Pharisees perceived that Christ spake of them, that He set forth their rejection of Him, and His final supremacy.

The statement concerning the Stone was fulfilled when Christ was slain, raised and seated at the right hand of God.

(2) In Acts 4, we have the story of Peter and John brought before the ruler and questioned as to their healing of the lame man. Peter said that the lame man had been healed through the power of the risen Christ, "by faith in His name."

"Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole" (Act_4:10).

"This is the stone which was set at naught by you the builders, which became the head of the corner" (Act_4:11, \1911 Bible).

Thank God, that the Smitten Stone, was set on high, exalted; the one crucified became the Head of the corner.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR