As I think about the importance of a strong, unshakable foundation, it reminds me of a story I would hear as a child.
In a quiet valley, a house was being built. Only the concrete foundation stood. A little girl passed the construction site on the way to school. She would stop and stare. Her imagination running wild. To her, the concrete slab wasn’t flat and empty. It was the floor of a kitchen filled with laughter and the smell of home cooking. It was a living room echoing with music. It was a bedroom where stories were shared. Over time, people came and built walls, windows, and a roof. But the little girl always remembered the time when there was only the foundation. The promise of something more. Years later, she returned and walked past the house, which was old now. However, the foundation remained strong. She smiled because she remembered that every great structure begins the same way – from the ground up.
“So then you are no longer foreigners and noncitizens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household, because you have been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:19-22)
The cornerstone is typically the first stone or principal stone laid in the construction of a building. All the other stones are aligned and built around it. It forms the base of a corner of a building, joining two walls.
Jesus Christ is the foundation upon which God’s work of salvation and the Church are built.
“For no one can lay any foundation other
than what is being laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11)
Why does it matter that Jesus is the cornerstone? Jesus is unique because He exists as God’s Son (John 3:16) but also as God Himself in human flesh (1 Timothy 3:16). He is fully man, but He also is fully God (Colossians 2:9). This reality is known as the hypostatic union.
Jesus is the only way through which anyone can approach God the Father to receive forgiveness for their sin and to receive eternal life (John 14:6). As the perfect and victorious sacrifice, He is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 1:3) and has earned the title of King of Kings and Lord of Lords. As such, He is the only one worthy of being the head, or leading, the Church.
The Church is being built and joined together on the foundation of Jesus, the apostles, and prophets.
This foundation will last no matter what circumstances are faced.
This foundation is unshakable and cannot be moved.
“So as you come to him, a living stone rejected by men
but chosen and precious in God’s sight, you yourselves, as living stones,
are built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood…” (1 Peter 2:4)
Knowing that Christ is the head of the Church, what, then, is the Church? The Church is made up of believers of all nations, tribes, people, and languages. It will remain solid and sturdy even in eternity (Revelation 7:9).
Our belief in Jesus is aligning and joining each of us together so that we form the temple of God. Each believer, whether you know it or not, has a purpose to serve through his or her spiritual gift. These spiritual gifts are given for the purpose of serving God and bringing glory to His name (1 Peter 4:10-11).
Believers are joined together as part of God’s family by grace through faith, regardless of our past or present circumstances.
While the Church is a gift left to us here and now, we know that this is not all there is. In heaven, believers will experience perfect unity and perfect love, which will transcend ALL earthly prejudices, including those based on race, age, gender, ethnicity, denomination, or social status.
Obviously, the Church is not there yet. We are currently sinners living on a sinful earth fighting daily battles between flesh and spirit.
However, the glorious promise of heaven is that each believer will receive unending, unconditional love without fear of loss, rejection, shame, or exposure. We will have an eternal home with Jesus, which will provide ultimate relief, joy, and rest.
What a day that will be!
Heavenly Father,
We thank you for our eternal foundation that is Jesus Christ. Lord, help us to build our lives upon Jesus’ love, truth, and teachings, knowing that only in Him will we find stability and purpose. Help us to trust in the solid foundation that cannot be shaken or moved. May our lives reflect your glory as we grow deeper in our relationship with Jesus until we see Him again in Heaven. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Peace and grace unto you,
