Luke 20: A Precious Cornerstone

Jesus looked directly at them and asked, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written: “‘The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone’? 
Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.” - Luke 20:17-18 NIV

Sometimes I feel solely responsible for the gospel.  I take it poorly when it is rejected.  I take it poorly when the world rejects us.  I take it poorly when the world lumps Christians with all the other crazies.  But, Jesus told us to expect rejection.  Shortly before his crucifixion he warns his disciples, in the parable of the tenants, that the world will not accept his message, but instead will put him to death.  'This can never be', they reply, but Jesus has proven to be correct down through the ages.  The dismissal of the message in this day should not be surprising.  Neither should our response be surprising.  Rather than being defensive or panic stricken over the world's response, we should be even more confident that we have been gifted the precious stone; the cornerstone of God's plan of redemption for the world.  The stone which, in spite of it's rejection by the world, is the cornerstone for a sure foundation.

So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic. - Isaiah 28:16 NIV