Our Cornerstone?

After the crippled man had been cured, while Peter and John were still speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees confronted them, disturbed that  they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They laid hands on Peter and John and put them in custody until the next day, since it was already evening. But many of those who heard the word came to believe and the number of men grew to about five thousand. 

On the next day, their leaders, elders, and scribes were assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly class. They brought them into their presence and questioned them, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” 

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, answered them, “Leaders of the people and elders: If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a cripple, namely, by what means he was saved, then all of you and all the people of Israel should know that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead; in his name this man stands before you healed. He is the stone rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved.” (Acts 4:1-12)

I suspect most of us pay little attention to first readings, or we give them little thought especially about their implications.  Today’s and the last few days’ first readings from Acts need our close attention and thoughtful consideration.  This story of Peter, the cripple, and the guilt of all the people of Israel for Jesus’ death occurs again.  Again, as yesterday, if I was a Jew, I’d be steaming and greatly disappointed in the ignorance of most Christians.  I’m being accused of crucifying Jesus – the stone I’m being condemned for rejecting!  Therefore, I’m told I cannot be saved.  Such an arrogant claim!

This Easter season we are to focus on why Jesus became the Christ and what that means for us today in how we behave and relate to other people, races, nations, and faiths.   Yes, Jesus is our cornerstone but only if the house on which it was built is welcoming and filled with love – not hostility and arrogance.

Deacon David Pierce