Scripture

Our verse for today comes from Matthew 21:44, “And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.”

Background

There used to be a television show called “Hee Haw.” It was a down-home, country variety show in the ’70s that featured the popular country music stars of that time and a slew of regular cast members that would provide musical and comedic entertainment of varying degrees. One of the funnier guys on the show was Archie Campbell. One of his bits was a skit where he would be playing the part of a barber, and a customer would be sitting in his chair. Archie would then tell him a story, the plot of which would swing back and forth from good news to bad news. He would say something that sounded positive and the man in the chair would say, “That’s good.” And Archie would say, “No, that’s bad.” Then Archie would go on with more detail and the man would respond, “Oh, that is bad.” But then Archie would say, “No, that’s good,” and he would then explain why. Back and forth it would swing, each detail taking you the opposite direction of where you thought you were going. It was a funny skit, as Archie had a gifted delivery, and usually a pretty good punch line. And I couldn’t help but be reminded of this routine when I read of Jesus’ explanation and warning regarding the vinedresser and the rejected cornerstone.

Application

Jesus, the stone, is rejected. That’s bad. No, that’s good, for He has become the chief cornerstone of the Lord’s doing and is available to all. That’s good. No, that’s bad. To receive this kingdom offer, you have to fall on this stone and be broken. Oh, that is bad. No, that’s good. For whomever He falls on will not be broken, but will be ground into powder. It’s another lovely example of dying to live and giving up to get. Graciously, even our apparent bad news of the day is yet another opportunity for God’s goodness to work. We don’t need to accept our circumstances as someone without the cornerstone would see them. The world’s bad can be for our good, and God’s glory. Look at it that way, and do what you can to help others see it that way, too.

Charge

As we seek Him today, ask God to take your brokenness and make you strong and renewed. Take the cornerstone to someone and keep them from being ground into powder.

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words