Jesus is the Cornerstone: It Means so Much More!

Jesus as the Cornerstone

Jesus is the cornerstone of the living temple that is made up of all believers. This analogy appears in multiple verses, both in the Old Testament and the New Testament. Here is one example.

Almost every Bible version renders the Greek word akrogoniaios as cornerstone. This particular Greek word also carries two alternative meanings, both of which have great significance. We will take a look at all three meanings and how they combine to build a beautiful and complete picture of Christ.

Jesus as the cornerstone. While Christians are familiar with this analogy, not all are aware of the exact meaning of the word cornerstone and the full significance that it carries.

The cornerstone is the first piece that is placed. This embodies Jesus as our redeemer, the firstfruits of many, and the first stone of the temple of God. Listen carefully and understand a further significance. All other stones are set in reference to the cornerstone and follow its direction. This is echoed by the call of believers, as we pick up our cross and follow the example of Christ and his apostles.

As the name implies, the cornerstone is placed in the corner. It is the key piece that joins two walls together, an apt representation of how both Hebrew and Gentile alike who accept Christ are joined into the same temple.

There is more significance still. The cornerstone is often replicated and displayed as part of dedication ceremonies of buildings, even to this day. The concept of dedicating a house is scriptural, as Deuteronomy 20:5 even listed it as a reason for a soldier to be excused from war, that he may go and dedicate a new house he has built. The use of cornerstones in building dedications today is an acknowledgment of that stone's importance to the overall structure of the building.

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It is the key piece that joins two walls together, an apt representation of how both Hebrew and Gentile alike who accept Christ are joined into the same temple.

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Jesus as the Keystone

Speaking of structure, this brings us to our second possible meaning: the keystone. The Contemporary English Version of the Bible goes with this meaning in its translation, identifying Jesus simply as the most important stone, or keystone, if you will.

Keep in mind, this isn't a debate about preferred Bible versions. The original Greek word carries nuanced meaning, and all of them describe Jesus in different and beautiful ways. When different word meanings conflict in the Bible, then discernment is called for. However, when different meanings blend wondrously, as is the case here, understand that there are no coincidences with God, and there is likely nuanced meaning intended.

Jesus as the keystone, or most important stone, of course, is a perfect analogy. There is no denying that he is the stone upon which all others rely. Without Jesus, then much like the fate of the temple in Jerusalem, we would not have one stone left upon another as his church.

A perfect illustration of how we are all completely dependent on our keystone, Jesus, can be seen architecturally through a catenary arch. This arch has the ability to withstand the weight of the material from which it is constructed without collapsing by utilizing the ideal curve. The catenary arch is strong and self-supported through absorption of all pressure on both sides through the keystone. But if you were to remove the keystone, it collapses. Such is the fate of any who try to build a spiritual house without Christ as their keystone.

Jesus as the Capstone and Complete Picture

Number three: the capstone. This is a third meaning which is diverse from the rest, but equally significant. The word choice is used in the New American Bible, and is a legitimate alternative meaning for the original Greek word.

Unlike the cornerstone, which is laid first, the capstone is the finishing touch. It is the highest-placed stone and symbolizes the completion of a great achievement. In modern vernacular, people oftentimes refer to the high point of their careers as the capstone. The word serves as a wonderful illustration of Christ, who is not only the originating author of our faith, but the finisher of it as well.

When we look at the verse of Matthew 21:44, it reads, "And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder." This embodies a multi-layered analogy of both a stone below, the cornerstone, and a stone above, the capstone.

What a complete picture of Jesus we are blessed to see when all of the meanings are combined. Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith, the Alpha, the first stone and the one which all others follow. Jesus is the keystone, the most important one, the one and only stone upon which all the others depend. And Jesus is the capstone, not only the Alpha, but also the Omega, the last, the finisher of our faith and our salvation. He is the crowning glory, the highest and most holy stone in the temple, worthy to rule over all.

Thank you, Jesus, for revealing these things, and thank you all the more for being all these things, for being everything. You are our cornerstone, our keystone, and our capstone. You are our Lord of lords and our King of kings, our redeemer, the holy and spotless Lamb of God. We offer our thanks and praise to you forever in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

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He is the crowning glory, the highest and most holy stone in the temple, worthy to rule over all.

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