“Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation…….” (Isaiah 28:16)
“The
tried and precious cornerstone is Jesus Christ Himself. Elder Bruce R. McConkie
wrote: One of Isaiah’s great Messianic prophecies was that the promised Messiah
would be “for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the
houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and
be taken.” (Isaiah 8:14-15). Both Paul (Romans 9:33) and Peter (1 Peter 2:7-8)
record the fulfillment of this prophecy.” (Mormon Doctrine, p 657)
“Jacob
referred to this figure when he said that “by the stumbling of the Jews they
will reject the stone upon which they might build and have safe foundation”
(Jacob 4:15). Paul also used the same imagery when he said the foundation of
the Church of Jesus Christ was Apostles and prophets, with Christ Himself being
the chief cornerstone (see Ephesians 2:19-20)”
-
(Old
Testament Student Manual 1 Kings – Malachi p 163)
Just
as Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the Church, He is also supposed to be the
cornerstone of our ‘spiritual house’. Sometimes we might think that being
members of His Church is sufficient. The sufficiency happens, however, when we make
active His Atonement in our lives. Then our foundation will be sure and we will
not be exposed to the risk of falling. Using the familiar and common parts of
daily life as object lessons for his teachings, Isaiah teaches us how the
Atonement can spiritually cover us:
“For
the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower
than that he can wrap himself in it.” (Isaiah 28:20)
“…..if we are not covered by the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, we will find ourselves like a man in a bed too short for him with a blanket that is too small to cover him. No matter how appealing sin may look at first, it can never satisfy our inner needs. The sinful person will be ever like the man in a short bed with inadequate covers. He will twist and turn and constantly seek comfort, but he cannot find it. The Atonement of Christ for sin covers, or is efficacious for, only those who trust in God with all their hearts and keep His holy commandments.” (Old Testament Student Manul 1 Kings-Malachi p 163)
I have seen your sins
And the years you have lived with futile pride.
I bore your life with crimson drops
And sought forgiveness on your behalf
To pay the price of justice
And mend your broken heart.
I wait for you to come
Into the shadow of my wings,
I have paid the price,
Come unto Me,
Your God and your King.
- CATHRYNE ALLEN
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