Living in the Spirit

Scripture Reading:
Matthew 21:33-46

Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the scriptures:
“The stone that the builders rejected
   has become the cornerstone;
this was the Lord’s doing,
   and it is amazing in our eyes”?*
Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom. The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.’

When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they realized that he was speaking about them. They wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowds, because they regarded him as a prophet. —Matthew 21:42-46

A cornerstone is the event, fact, or thing that forms the principal foundation or support upon which an achievement is based or from which a development makes its beginning**.

The warning that the kingdom of God is designed for those who produce God’s fruit is a stern admonition—an expression of authoritative advice or warning especially in ecclesiastical censure***. And it was not news to the religious leaders of the first century. They had been reading it from ancient scrolls their entire lives.

When studying the Bible, I am continually surprised when I discover something I had never noticed before. Such findings are influenced by the various stages of life and life experiences. Caution is, however, critical to avoid interpreting scriptures in ways that support our vision of the kingdom of God rather than God’s. Beginning Bible study with a prayer of discernment supported by the Holy Spirit is imperative.

What repeatedly is illustrated in Bible stories and life today is that increasing affluence and safety decreases our bearing God’s fruit as we seek more prosperity for ourselves. We interact primarily with people like us, excluding others. We are more driven by self-righteousness rather than God’s righteousness and justice.

The full kingdom of God will never be realized until we mature enough in understanding that God’s kingdom offers for all an abundant life measured by our love for one another. God’s kingdom is defined by inclusion rather than exclusion and requires constant and consistent perseverance to continue to develop and grow God’s fruits.

Prayer:
Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
Forgive our foolish ways!
Reclothe us in our rightful mind,
In purer lives Thy service find,
In deeper reverence, praise. Amen.

*Psalm 118:22-23
**https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/cornerstone
*** https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/admonition

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.