Welcome to Friday’s Podcast.

Our reading today is Matthew 21: 33-46 but today I will focus on verse 42:

“The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it’s marvellous in our eyes.”

Before we jump into the podcast – I’d like to thank you for listening! Next week Casey Strine, a member of our team, will continue our journey through Matthew’s gospel.

REFLECTION:

I recently built a log shed out of old pallets.

Not just any log shed but I’ve added a green roof – inspired by a trip to Norway!

My research told me the log shed would need extra strength to hold the roof – a green roof is a little heavier because it contains soil and grass.

I thought a lot about the structure and whether the roof would bear the weight.

I was feeling rather pleased with myself until I noticed that the log shed developed a lean… it was just steadily listing backwards. I checked every day and sure enough it seemed to me that the log shed was, like the leaning tower of Pisa, at a very slow gradual rate – it was sinking into the ground.

I was so focused on making it strong enough to hold the weight of the roof I hadn’t really thought too much about the foundations.

To fix it I used our car jack to lift it and place some very chunky bricks – not just any bricks – bricks from an old electric storage heater – to take the weight and stop the slow and gradual sinking.

I used those bricks to shore up the foundations which were inadequate.

Foundations are important, in your house and – I’ve discovered – a heavy log shed. Good foundations are vital for a healthy marriage and a healthy family.

Today I want us to think about foundations. In today’s passage Jesus is referring to himself as the ‘stone’ – sometimes known as the cornerstone. It really means foundation stone.

There are a number of references throughout the Bible to the ‘cornerstone’. Jesus quotes Psalm 118:22 which describes a situation where some builders are looking for a suitable stone – known as the cornerstone – some say that it’s either for the base of the building or to be fashioned to be the key stone at the top of the arch – but the point is that it’s the stone holds it together – it’s the most important stone. It’s the one that takes or holds the weight.

Jesus is saying “I am the cornerstone.” He’s the one that holds it together – the one at the centre of it all.

In fact the whole parable is a very, very strong challenge to those who have rejected Jesus – they are like those builders that rejected the cornerstone. Jesus doesn’t mince his words – they will face a judgement – two images: falling onto the stone or the stone falling on them. Crikey!

What can we take from this message?

My question today for my life is: How are my foundations? Honestly?

My log shed looked great when I’d completed it. It was fine when I’d made the green roof – the soil, the woodchip etc…

But when I filled it with logs – the weight bore down on it – then it became clear that foundations were insufficient.

The pressure of life stress tests the quality of our foundations.

Same with our spiritual lives.

Spiritual disciplines are vital. If we crack them in peace time – we’ll have them in war time. And if we crack them in war time – keep them in peace time.

I learned a few years ago – when the pressures of life come along – then I know I need to fix myself to the cornerstone.

What does that look like?

From my own personal experience: if I get up early each day and spend time with God. Read the Bible – read a Christian book. Worship either by strumming my guitar or singing – I’m ready for the day. I know if I ‘hear from God’ – my day starts from faith – I’m focusing on Jesus – holding onto the cornerstone.

If I don’t – I can find I’m losing my connection with the Lord.