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Temple Cleansed Again
359
“Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation,
A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation;
Whoever believes will not act hastily.”
Isaiah 28:16
God chose the Foundation Stone and called it “a sure foundation.”
The entire world may lay their burdens and griefs on it. They may
build on it with perfect safety. He never disappoints those who
trust in Him. He has passed every test. He has carried the burdens
placed on Him by every repenting sinner. All who make Him their
dependence rest in perfect security.
Christ is both “a sure foundation” and “a stone of stumbling.”
“Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are
disobedient, ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the
chief cornerstone,’ and ‘A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.’
They stumble, being disobedient to the word.”
1 Peter 2:7, 8
.
How to Be Built Up by Being Broken
To those who believe, Christ is the sure foundation. They fall on
the Rock and are “broken.” To fall on the Rock and be broken is to
give up our selfrighteousness, to go to Christ with the humility of a
child, repenting of our sins and believing in His forgiving love. So
also by faith and obedience we build on Christ as our foundation.
Jews and Gentiles alike may build on this Living Stone. It is
broad enough for all and strong enough to hold the weight and burden
of the whole world. By connecting with Christ, all who build on this
foundation become living stones. See
1 Peter 2:5
.
To those who “stumble, being disobedient to the word,” Christ is
a Rock of offense. Like the rejected stone, Christ had experienced
neglect and abuse. He was despised and rejected by men,
A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. ...
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
Isaiah 53:3
But by the resurrection from the dead He would be declared the
“Son of God with power.”
Romans 1:4
. At His second coming, He
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