In Mark 12:1-12 we read the parable of the tenants; a story Jesus told to his opponents to point out the error of their ways.

The story begins with a man planting a vineyard, renting it to some farmers and then going on a long journey. At harvest time the vineyard owner sent a series of servants to collect the rent, but the tenants shamefully treated the servants with violence and even killed some of them. Finally, the vineyard owner sent his beloved son, thinking the tenants would respect him. But they killed him too, reasoning that they would then get the vineyard all for themselves. Jesus concluded the story by saying that the owner would return and kill the wicked tenants and give the vineyard to others.

The owner of the vineyard is God. The vineyard he planted represents the nation of Israel. The tenants are the Israelite people, especially the leaders. God expected the nation to produce spiritual fruit, but they failed to do so. He sent his servants, the prophets, to remind the people of their responsibilities to be fruitful. However, the prophets were routinely ignored, mistreated and even killed. Finally, God would send his beloved Son Jesus. Alas, Jesus too would be rejected, mistreated and put to death on a cross. Therefore, God will pour out his ultimate wrath on those who reject Jesus.

After telling this story, Jesus then referred his listeners to Psalm 118:22-23, which says, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.”

The Bible often depicts Jesus Christ as the cornerstone. Without Jesus there would be no kingdom of God, no church, and no salvation. Unless we build our lives on the cornerstone, Jesus, we build to no avail.

At the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says that we have a choice to build our lives on the sand or on the rock. Foolish people build on the sand, and when the storms come, all they have built will be destroyed. On the other hand, wise people build on the rock, and when the storms come, what they have built will endure (Matt.7:24-27).

Don’t be foolish. Don’t reject Jesus, the cornerstone. Build your life upon the rock of our salvation.