Christ, Our Cornerstone
Notes
Transcript
If you have your Bible—and I hope you do—please turn with me to Matthew 21:7–11 as we set the stage for Palm Sunday.
Scripture Reading: Matthew 21:7–11 (ESV)
“They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!’ And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, ‘Who is this?’ And the crowds said, ‘This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.’”
Close your eyes for a moment and picture Jerusalem alive with anticipation. Palm branches wave like banners, cloaks blanket the dusty road, and voices rise in unison, shouting, “Hosanna!” It’s a parade fit for royalty, like a small town rolling out the red carpet for a war hero returning home—flags flying, cheers echoing, joy spilling over. But this is no ordinary king. This is Jesus, riding humbly on a donkey, descending from the Mount of Olives, crossing the Kidron Valley, and entering the Holy City. The crowds cry “Hosanna!”—a word we’ll unpack soon—but their shouts carry an ancient echo, a prophetic song woven into Israel’s history.
You might be thinking, “Cody, it’s Palm Sunday—shouldn’t we stay in the Gospels?” I hear you, and I promise we’re not abandoning Matthew’s account. Just a few weeks ago, we were in Mark’s Gospel, studying the parable of the Tenants in Mark 12:1–12, where we saw the danger of rejecting Jesus, the cornerstone God sent. That question keeps resurfacing in Mark’s pages: “What will you do with Jesus Christ?” Today, I’m taking us to Psalm 118—not to leave the Gospels behind, but to dig deeper into the why of Palm Sunday. Why did Jesus ride into Jerusalem that day? Psalm 118 was the soundtrack of the crowds’ praise, the prophecy behind the parade. It reveals Jesus as the rejected cornerstone, the source of our salvation, and the reason we worship with all our hearts.
We’re going to explore four truths from Psalm 118 today: Jesus as the stone the world rejected, the reason we rejoice, the King we welcome, and the Savior who deserves our gratitude. These truths anchor us to the heart of Palm Sunday and call us to respond. Let’s stand in honor of God’s Word as we read Psalm 118:22–29.
Scripture Reading: Psalm 118:22–29 (ESV)
“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We bless you from the house of the Lord. The Lord is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar! You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you. Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”
Point 1: The Stone Rejected (Psalm 118:22–23)
Let’s begin with verses 22–23: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.” In ancient construction, the cornerstone was the most critical piece. It wasn’t just a decorative block—it set the foundation, aligned every wall, and ensured the building’s stability. A flawed cornerstone meant collapse. But the builders, the ones who should’ve known best, looked at Jesus and said, “He’s not the one.” They rejected Him, fulfilling this ancient song.
On Palm Sunday, the scene was electric—crowds cheering, palm branches waving, voices shouting praise as Jesus entered Jerusalem. But rejection loomed just days away. The scribes, with their scrolls of knowledge; the Pharisees, with their rigid rules; the Sadducees, with their political savvy; the Herodians, with their loyalty to Rome—they all looked at Jesus and decided He wasn’t worth building their lives on. To them, He was just a Galilean teacher, a troublemaker from Nazareth, not the Messiah. It’s like a master jeweler sorting through stones and tossing aside a rough diamond because it doesn’t sparkle at first glance. Only later do they realize it’s priceless—but by then, the moment has passed. That’s Jesus, discarded by those who should’ve recognized His worth.
This rejection echoes Israel’s history. Psalm 118 was a song of God’s mercy, often sung to celebrate a king’s victory. Think of David, the shepherd boy from Bethlehem. He was the youngest son of Jesse, from a small family in the smallest tribe of a small nation. When Samuel arrived to anoint a king, Jesse paraded his older sons—tall, strong, kingly. David? He was out tending sheep, a mere errand boy. Everyone thought, “Not David! He’s too young, too small, not royal material!” Even after God chose him, King Saul hunted him like a fugitive, and David’s own wife, Michal, scorned his worship. Yet God said, “This is my king.” David, the rejected one, became Israel’s greatest leader, pointing to someone greater still.
Acts 4:11 declares, “This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.” Jesus is the true cornerstone, the foundation of God’s new building—the Church. Ephesians 2:20 says the Church is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone.” He’s not just a piece of the puzzle; He’s the trunk of Israel, the Promised Son, the Messiah, the Righteous King who suffered for our sins. He didn’t stay dead but lives, holding authority over all nations.
This rejection wasn’t a mistake—it was “the Lord’s doing,” verse 23 says, and it’s marvelous. God orchestrated it. Jesus’ rejection led to the cross, where He bore our sins. His resurrection exalted Him as the unshakable foundation of our faith. But here’s where it gets personal: many still reject Him today. Some treat Jesus like a life enhancer, a little “g” god to call when bills pile up or health fails. Others reduce the Gospel to a social media post, typing “Amen” as if that’s enough to claim faith. No! Jesus isn’t a sidekick or a viral quote. He’s the cornerstone, the bedrock of everything we are. He demands our full attention, our whole lives.
Charles Spurgeon once wrote, “Christ is the foundation of our hopes, the guarantee of our peace, the source of our joy. He is the very cornerstone of our faith.” Imagine building a house with no foundation—cardboard instead of concrete. It might stand for a sunny day, but the first storm will topple it. That’s what it’s like to build on anything but Jesus—career, family, politics, even good deeds. They crumble under life’s weight. Only Jesus endures.
So let me ask you, and take a moment to reflect: Is Jesus the cornerstone of your life? Is He the foundation of your hopes, your joy, your purpose? Or are you leaning on something else, something temporary? Pause and think—what’s your cornerstone today?
Point 2: The Day of Rejoicing (Psalm 118:24–25)
Now let’s turn to verses 24–25: “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success!” Palm Sunday was that day—a day of triumph, foreshadowing Jesus’ victory over sin, death, and hell. The crowds shouted “Hosanna,” which verse 25 explains: “Save us!”
Hosanna isn’t a casual cheer; it’s a desperate cry for rescue, rooted in Israel’s worship. Psalm 118 was sung when a king returned from battle, celebrating God’s deliverance. We hear this in 1 Chronicles 16:34, when the Ark of the Covenant returned to Jerusalem, and David danced with joy: “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” That refrain echoes through the Psalms, like Psalm 136:1, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” On Palm Sunday, the crowds saw Jesus as their deliverer, and their “Hosanna” was this psalm come to life.
Picture yourself lost at sea, your boat sinking, waves crashing over the deck. In panic, you radio for help, and just as hope fades, a Coast Guard helicopter roars overhead, dropping a lifeline. That’s Hosanna—a plea for salvation that Jesus answers. The crowds cried it as He rode into Jerusalem, and we cry it still, because we need His grace every single day.
Maybe you sang a song as a kid: “This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made!” That’s Psalm 118, and it’s about victory. But victory doesn’t mean we’re done needing Jesus. Let me unpack this. When you trust Christ, you’re justified—made right with God, as if you’d never sinned, by faith alone. That’s a one-time gift, sealed forever. But that’s just the beginning. We need continual salvation—sanctification—where God’s grace shapes us, helps us grow, and strengthens us through trials. One day, we’ll be glorified, free from sin’s presence and power forever. All of this—justification, sanctification, glorification—is God’s grace at work, start to finish.
On Palm Sunday, the crowds shouted “Hosanna,” crying for salvation, and we do too. We’re justified, but we keep praying, “Save us, Lord!” We need His strength to face temptation, to love others, to stand firm in a world that feels unsteady. And that need fuels our joy. Verse 24 calls us to “rejoice and be glad.” Worship isn’t just singing hymns or clapping along—it’s trusting Jesus with everything. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about giving Him your heart, day after day.
I’ve noticed something in our church family. Some of us hold back in worship—maybe you sing softly, or you hesitate to serve, or you keep your faith private. Jesus, our King, is worthy of our all! Worship shows the world we believe He’s the cornerstone. It’s not just Sunday mornings—it’s how you live Monday through Saturday. So let me ask: Are you rejoicing in Jesus today? Is your life a song of praise, trusting Him through every high and low? Take a moment—what does your worship say about your trust in Him?
Point 3: The Blessed King Welcomed (Psalm 118:26–27)
Verse 26 says, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We bless you from the house of the Lord.” On Palm Sunday, Jesus entered Jerusalem as God’s chosen King. The crowds, waving palm branches, echoed this verse, hailing Him as the Son of David, the Messiah sent in God’s name. But they didn’t fully grasp what was unfolding—Jesus wasn’t just a king; He was the fulfillment of every promise God ever made.
Verse 27 deepens the picture: “The Lord is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar.” Jesus is the light of the world. John 1:4–5 declares, “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Imagine a lighthouse on a stormy coast, its beam piercing through fog and waves, guiding lost ships to harbor. That’s Jesus. For 400 years, Israel dwelt in silence—no new word from God, no prophet to guide them. Then Jesus arrived, shining light on truth and lies, hope and despair, right and wrong. His light still guides us, and it never fades.
But He’s also the sacrifice. Verse 27 mentions binding the festal sacrifice to the altar’s horns—a vivid image from the temple, where lambs were offered for sin. But Jesus didn’t need ropes. He chose the cross, not a stone altar in Jerusalem, but a wooden hill called Calvary. Isaiah calls Him a lamb led to slaughter, yet He went with the strength of God Almighty. He died to atone for our sins, and three days later, He rose in radiant glory, shattering death’s grip.
This wasn’t a random event. Jesus’ entry sparked conflicts with the religious leaders—Pharisees challenging His teachings, Sadducees debating the resurrection, scribes testing His wisdom. They rejected Him, but God had a purpose. Jewish tradition notes that Psalm 118 was chanted during Passover, pointing to the Messiah’s arrival. Jesus fulfilled it, coming in God’s name to save us.
Welcoming Jesus means more than cheering like the crowd. It’s trusting His sacrifice and following His light. Psalm 118:6 says, “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” Because Jesus triumphed, we stand in His victory. But it’s a choice. You can’t stay on the sidelines, waving branches without following. So let me ask: Are you welcoming Jesus as your King? Is His light shaping your choices—your words, your relationships, your purpose? Reflect for a moment—where is His light leading you today?
Point 4: The Response of Gratitude (Psalm 118:28–29)
Finally, verses 28–29: “You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you. Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” This is the heartbeat of Palm Sunday—gratitude for Jesus, the cornerstone who saves us.
His love isn’t fleeting; it’s steadfast, unchanging, eternal. Jesus didn’t come to sprinkle a little blessing on our lives or to be a cosmic vending machine for our wishes. He came because we were lost—pitiful, trapped in sin, helpless to save ourselves. His heart burned with compassion, not a soft, sentimental feeling, but a fierce devotion that drove Him to the cross. Hebrews 12:2 says He endured it “for the joy set before him”—the joy of redeeming us. And He didn’t stay dead. He rose, proving His love endures forever.
I heard a story about a soldier who threw himself on a grenade to save his squad. His friends survived, but he was gone. They spent their lives honoring him, telling his story to anyone who’d listen. Jesus did infinitely more—He died and rose, and He’s alive to hear our thanks. Revelation 7:9–12 captures it: “A great multitude… from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out… ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’” That’s our future, echoing the palm branches of Palm Sunday with eternal praise.
Gratitude isn’t just a feeling; it’s a way of life. It’s evangelism—telling your neighbors about Jesus, inviting them to know Him. It’s discipleship—growing in faith and helping others grow, teaching your kids or friends what it means to follow Christ. It’s trusting Him when the world feels dark. You might look at 2025 and see trouble—crime spiking, culture unraveling, uncertainty creeping in. Get involved, vote for laws that honor God, make a difference where you stand. But don’t stop there. Share the Gospel. Mentor someone in faith. That’s how God’s light shines through us, and John 1:5 promises the darkness won’t overcome it.
The psalmist declares, “You are my God.” Is that your confession? Is Jesus your foundation, your cornerstone? Or are you still building on yourself—your plans, your strength, your achievements? Biblical belief isn’t nodding in agreement or liking a sermon clip online. It’s trusting Jesus completely, worshiping Him with your whole heart—your time, your talents, your priorities.
Conclusion: Trust and Worship the Cornerstone
Palm Sunday shows us Jesus, the stone the builders rejected, riding into Jerusalem to save us. Psalm 118 was their song, and it’s ours too. He’s the cornerstone, the reason we rejoice, the King we welcome, the Savior who deserves our gratitude. His steadfast love endures forever, proven by the cross and empty tomb.
Picture a skyscraper standing tall through earthquakes and storms because its cornerstone is perfect. That’s Jesus in our lives. No matter what 2025 brings—fear, loss, or chaos—He holds us firm. So let’s respond like the psalmist in verse 29: “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”
If you’ve never trusted Jesus, make today the day you say, “You are my God.” If you know Him, recommit to worshiping Him—singing, serving, sharing His love. He’s worthy of it all. Let me ask one last time: Is Jesus your cornerstone? I pray you trust Him completely, because eternity is at stake.
Head: God wants you to believe Jesus is the cornerstone—the foundation of salvation and the one God has chosen, even though He was rejected by the world. The crowds may not have fully understood who they were praising, but God had already declared Jesus to be the cornerstone. Everything else—rejoicing, welcoming, gratitude—flows from that reality.
Heart: God wants you to believe that trusting in Jesus is the only way to be made right with God, because He alone is the Savior God has sent. Belief isn’t just in Jesus as a good teacher or miracle worker—it’s confidence that He is God’s chosen King and Savior, even though the world rejected Him. He is the sure foundation for life, hope, and eternity.
Hand: God wants you to build your life on Christ by abiding in Him continually, praising Him openly, and giving thanks daily. He’s not just the foundation of your salvation—He should be the foundation of every part of your life. Let your words, your priorities, your relationships, and your worship all reflect that He is your King.
Jesus is the cornerstone—the one rejected by men but chosen by God. He is the reason we rejoice, the King we welcome, and the Savior we thank. So build your life on Him. Don’t just cheer Him with your lips—follow Him with your life. Trust Him as your only hope, praise Him as your glorious King, and give thanks to Him every day, because His steadfast love endures forever.
