Rejected

Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 (NIV)

¹ Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

² Let Israel say:
"His love endures forever."

²² The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone;

²³ the LORD has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.

²⁴ This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.

²⁸ You are my God, and I will give you thanks;
you are my God, and I will exalt you.

²⁹ Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

Over the years, Holly and I have developed an affinity for things that have been rejected and "used up."

We've never owned a dog that didn't come from the humane society, or that had been handed from owner to owner.

We've never (and probably never will) owned a new car. If my car were a child, it would be getting ready to go to prom. It runs great and I'm glad to have it.

The lion's share of our clothing (both us and the kids) has come from consignment, second-hand or thrift shops.

Our house has mostly been furnished with parts and pieces picked up here and there second-hand, or at a steep discount.

It's not just that this makes sense economically (which it does.) It's not just that we live in a place of such abundance that our society's cast offs are better than what many people could ever have (which they are).

I think it could be something deeper. It's fun to be surrounded by things that have a story. It's a great thing to see what some spit and polish can do to an item that had been cast upon the junk heap.

We've found the old saying true, that "they don't make 'em like they used to," and an old thing made well is often better than new that's made to throw away.

I tell you this because the culture that surrounds us doesn't really believe in reclamation projects.

As a culture, we tend to like our stuff new and shiny. We like first-run, high quality, status-giving items.

Problem: that's just not who Jesus is.

As Christians, Psalm 118 is a prophecy of the Messiah was was to come. We know this passage as a description of Jesus, a stone who was rejected by the builders.

Let's be clear: the Messiah of Psalm 118 is rejected. Rejected.

But, God has other plans.

That rejected stone would become the "capstone," or cornerstone. He would be the foundation upon which all things are built.

What could that mean for us?

Have you ever felt rejected? Have you ever felt like a re-tread, thrift store project that nobody would want?

Jesus is the Messiah who says, "the last shall be first."

When it comes to our souls, a little reclamation work is a very excellent thing. God is never ready to junk us.

Grace & Peace,

Adam