“…Did ye never read in the scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?’ Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.” Matthew 21:42-44
My Summary & Reflection
Jesus is making reference to a scripture known to his disciples. In it, the stone that had been rejected by the builder has now been placed into the most important position in the structure of the building. Jesus says that in that same way, the kingdom of heaven will be taken from those who previously believed that they held that honor and given to those who had previously been rejected. Whoever falls on those who had been rejected, will be broken. On whomever those who had been rejected fall, they will be crushed to powder.
This parable is one in which Jesus speaks of those who believe themselves to be entitled to the kingdom of heaven, and how that belief is misplaced. Jesus clarifies that those who receive the kingdom are those that “bring forth the fruits thereof” and are not of any particular heritage or position of honor. It is instead those who produce the fruits that have been assigned to them, those who honor and fulfill their roles as ambassadors and servants of God’s love throughout the world, who will be placed in the most important positions in the structure of the kingdom. It is only through the fruits of our loving, good works that we can earn ourselves a place in eternity, not through entitlement or position.
“And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.” Matthew 21:45 Although this parable may have been meant to shake the priests and Pharisees from their place of comfort and complacency, to me, it is also a message of hope for so many others. To those who may have felt rejected as a circumstance of their birth, or their position in life, or their mistakes or prior bad acts, there is a message here that even a “reject” can earn for themselves the most important place in the kingdom.
Your Reflection
- Have you become complacent with your position in God’s kingdom or do you continue to work?
- Have you seen yourself as a reject? How can you work in hope toward the fulfillment of God’s mission for you?
- Have you seen others as rejects? How can you help yourself to see the value of others?