SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 1/14/2019
10:04 AM
My Worship Time Focus: United in God’s Temple
Bible Reading & Meditation Reference: Ephesians
2:20-22
Message of the verses: “20 having been
built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself
being the corner stone, 21 in
whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple
in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are
being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.”
I
suppose that it is true that these three verses are ones that are quoted many
times because of the truth that is found in them. When we talk about the foundation of the
apostles and prophets this refers to the divine revelation that they taught,
and this is found in the New Testament.
John MacArthur writes “Because the Greek genitive caus appears to be
used in the subjective sense, signifying the originating agency, the meaning is
not that the apostles and prophets were themselves the foundation—though in a
certain sense they were—but that they laid the foundation. Paul spoke of himself as ‘a wise master
builder’ who ‘laid a foundation’ and went on to say, ‘For no man can lay a
foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ’ (1 Cor.
3:10-11; cf. Rom. 15:20). These are New
Testament ‘prophets,’ as indicated by the facts that they are listed after the
apostles and are part of the building of the church of Jesus Christ (cf. 3:5;
4:11). The unique function was to
authoritatively speak the word of God to the church in the years before the New
Testament canon was complete. The fact
that they are identified with the foundation reveals that they were limited to
that formative period. As 4:11 shows,
they completed their work and gave way to ‘evangelists, and…pastors and
teachers.’”
Verse
20 goes on to talk about Jesus Christ being the corner stone, and this
statement is found many times in both the Old and New Testaments. 16 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD,
"Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly cornerstone
for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not
be disturbed (Isa. 28:16).” Also found
in Ps. 118:22; Matt. 21:42; Acts 4:11.
Let us look at the one from Psalm 118:22 “The stone which the builders
rejected Has become the chief corner
stone.” The corner stone in ancient buildings was the
most important stone to be placed in the foundation. It had to be strong enough to support what
was build on it, and it had to be precisely laid, because every other part of
the structure was oriented to it had to be precisely laid, because every other
part of the structure was oriented to it.
Now as we look at this brief definition of the corner stone we can see
how this was written about Jesus Christ.
The corner stone in the building is what Jesus Christ is to God’s
kingdom, God’s family and God’s building.
The shame of it is that the Jewish people stated that they did not want
this Man to rule over them, they rejected the Chief Cornerstone.
We
looked at Isaiah 28:16 and this was quoted by Peter who said “This precious
value, then, is for you who believe…you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood,
a holy name, a people for God’s own possession” and this is found in 1 Peter. 2:7,
9.
It
is, “Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21 in whom the whole
building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord.” John MacArthur writes “Sunarmologeo (‘fitted together’) refers to the careful joining of
every component of a piece of furniture, wall, building, or other
structure. Every part is precisely cut
to fit snugly, strongly, and beautifully with every other part. Nothing is out of place, defective,
misshapen, or inappropriate. Because it
is Christ’s ‘building,’ the church is perfect, spotless, without defect or
blemish. And that is how He will one day
present the church, His own ‘Holy temple,’ to Himself (Eph. 5:27).”
We
will continue looking at Christ’s body, the church in our next SD as I want to
write about why; at this time it is not complete.
Spiritual meaning for my life today: I can say that as I look at these verses I am
thankful that Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone. He is and always has been perfect, when He
came to earth He was perfect, and remains that way for all eternity, as there
is no defect in Him for He is God. To
have Him as the Chief Cornerstone means that they church which I am a part of
will one day be perfectly given to Jesus Christ as a gift of His Father as seen
in Psalm 2.
My Steps of Faith for Today: Continue to learn what is said in Romans 12:3,
and to remember that emotions can fail me but truth never will.
Answer to yesterday’s Bible
question: “Peter” (Acts 2:14).
Today’s Bible question: “The entire Bible divided into chapters and
verses first appeared in which Bible?
Answer in our next SD.
1/14/2019 10:43 AM
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