City Life Starter

Written by Megan Meier

The Word

“Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”

Ephesians 2:19-22 NKJV

Reflection

·       “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God…” – First century Ephesus was a time of huge class, socioeconomic, and racial division. The idea of inclusivity, that the Messiah was for everyone, was considered revolutionary. Jesus had come to upend LOTS of matters that were wrong.  

·       “…having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone…” – A cornerstone is the first stone laid for a building, and the other stones are laid with the cornerstone as a reference. Often it was laid at a formal ceremony because they believed it ensured the stability of the building, it involved pouring of grain or wine, animal sacrifice, or (I’m about to get macabre, please forgive me) human sacrifice, often the victim was buried alive. Ephesus was a huge and diverse metropolis, the cornerstone would have had different meanings to all of the cultures, most would have recognized the cruel tradition. Paul described Jesus as the main cornerstone: the sacrifice required for our salvation, the first stone in our foundation, and the guide to the other stones in our lives, which are the words of the apostles and prophets. 

·       “…in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” – Put all the stones together, and it makes a holy temple. This can be interpreted in different ways: the holy temple is us individually (1 Corinthians 6:19) or the church around the globe, people of all upbringings, races, and countries, where God lives in us. 

Application

Is Jesus the Cornerstone of your life? A price has to be paid for stability of the building in your heart, be sure it’s the right one. 

Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank You for giving Your Life to save mine. Remind me that You are the Cornerstone of my life, and all the other stones to be laid in reference to You. In Your Name I pray, amen.