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Christ the Chief Cornerstone

Published on: October 2, 2025

Text: Psalm 118:10–29 (focus: vv. 10–12, 15–26; esp. vv. 22–23) + Zechariah 12:2–3

The Chief Cornerstone
The Chief Cornerstone

Big Idea: In these last days, God is aligning history around His cornerstone Messiah so that Israel (and the nations) find salvation only in Him. What men reject, God makes central.

Sermon Manuscript​

Introduction​

Brothers and sisters, today we turn to Psalm 118 and Zechariah 12, passages that are alive with prophetic fire for our times. Psalm 118 declares, “All nations surrounded me; in the name of the Lord I cut them off!” And Zechariah warns that Jerusalem will become a “cup of staggering” and an “immovable rock” for all nations (Zech. 12:2–3). We live in days when these words leap from the page and into the headlines. Israel is surrounded, pressed on every side, and yet God’s Word assures us: His purposes stand.

The psalmist sings of rejection, deliverance, and ultimate victory. The New Testament teaches us this psalm finds its true fulfillment in Christ—the stone the builders rejected, now exalted as the chief cornerstone. Let us walk through this passage and see what God is doing in our world today.

1. Let Israel Say, “His Steadfast Love Endures Forever” (Ps. 118:2–4)​

The psalm opens with a call-and-response:

  • Let Israel say… the nation as a whole.
  • Let the house of Aaron say… the priesthood, those set apart for worship.
  • Let those who fear the Lord say… Gentiles grafted into God’s covenant blessings.

Together the chorus rises: “His steadfast love endures forever!” (Ps. 118:4). Here already we see a vision: Jew and Gentile, nation and priesthood, united in thanksgiving. This refrain will echo into eternity as the redeemed sing the same song.

2. Surrounded on Every Side (Ps. 118:10–12)​

The psalmist cries, “All nations surrounded me; in the name of the Lord I cut them off!” (vv. 10–12). This has been Israel’s experience through history, and it is Israel’s reality today.

  • On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a brutal attack—rockets and incursions that left Israel shaken.
  • Hezbollah threatens from Lebanon, with skirmishes killing civilians and displacing thousands.
  • Iran sent drones and missiles directly at Israel in April 2024—the first attack of its kind.
  • UN debates and resolutions often target Israel disproportionately.
  • In the streets of the UK and Europe, massive protests demand her downfall.
  • Houthis in Yemen disrupt Red Sea trade routes, openly targeting Israel’s allies.

We should not be surprised. Zechariah foresaw this: “Behold, I am about to make Jerusalem a cup of staggering to all the surrounding peoples… On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples” (Zech. 12:2–3). The nations gather, but God says, “In the name of the Lord, I cut them off!”

3. The Right Hand of the Lord (Ps. 118:15–16)​

The psalmist exclaims: “The right hand of the Lord does valiantly!”

The “right hand” in Scripture points us to God’s power and salvation. Isaiah 53 asks, “To whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”—and the answer is the Suffering Servant. That Servant is Christ. Though despised and rejected, He is now exalted to the right hand of the Father (Ps. 110:1; Acts 2:33). What looked like defeat at Calvary was in truth the Lord’s mighty victory.

4. Israel’s Discipline and Preservation (Ps. 118:17–18)​

“I shall not die, but live, and recount the deeds of the Lord. The Lord has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death.”

Israel has known severe discipline—scattering, persecution, exile. Yet God promised never to destroy her completely (Jer. 30:11). Isaiah 51 shows the cup of wrath given to Jerusalem, but then taken away and placed in the hand of her tormentors. God has preserved His people, even as He promised Abraham that his offspring would endure as long as the stars.

5. A New Heart for Israel (Ezek. 36:24–28)​

Israel does not yet recognize her Messiah. Paul writes, “A partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in” (Rom. 11:25). But God has promised a new heart and a new spirit (Ezek. 36:26). Zechariah foretells: “They shall look upon Me, whom they have pierced, and mourn for Him” (Zech. 12:10). Even now, we see Jewish men and women coming to faith in Yeshua HaMashiach, a foretaste of that greater turning to come.

6. The Stone the Builders Rejected (Ps. 118:22–23)​

The heart of the psalm declares: “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.”

  • Jesus Himself quoted this verse (Matt. 21:42).
  • Peter preached it boldly: “This Jesus… whom you crucified, God raised up” (Acts 4:11).
  • Paul tied it to the Gentile mission (Rom. 9:33; Eph. 2:20).
  • Peter again calls Christ a “living stone” rejected by men but chosen by God (1 Pet. 2:4–8).

This rejected cornerstone is Israel’s true Messiah, the only foundation of salvation.

7. Hosanna—Save Us Now! (Ps. 118:25–26)​

The crowd shouted this psalm as Jesus entered Jerusalem: “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Matt. 21:9).

The psalmist prays, “Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success!” Israel will indeed succeed, not by her might, but when laid upon her Messiah. The prophets point to a day when Messiah reigns from Zion, shatters Israel’s enemies, and brings peace (Ps. 2; Isa. 11; Zech. 14; Joel 3).

8. The Cup of Wrath and the Cup of Salvation​

Israel drank the cup of God’s wrath (Isa. 51:17), but Christ drank it fully at Gethsemane and Calvary (Matt. 26:39; John 18:11). Because He bore it, the cup has been taken from Israel and given to her enemies. In Him, the psalmist can truly say: “The Lord has become my salvation” (Ps. 118:14).

Conclusion​

Psalm 118 is not just ancient poetry. It is prophecy alive in our day. Israel is surrounded, yet God’s steadfast love endures forever. The stone once rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Messiah has borne wrath so that His people may live. And one day soon, Israel will look upon the One they pierced, mourn, and believe. Then the nations will know: This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.

Let us, too, cry out: “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”

References​

Scripture References:

  • Psalm 118; Zechariah 12; Isaiah 53; Isaiah 51; Jeremiah 30–31; Ezekiel 36; Joel 3; Micah 4; Acts 2, 4; Romans 9, 11; Ephesians 2; 1 Peter 2; Revelation 19–20.

News & Media References:

  • Hamas Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel (Reuters).
  • Hezbollah-Israel hostilities, civilian toll (AP, Reuters).
  • Iran’s April 2024 drone/missile attack on Israel (Reuters).
  • Red Sea/Houthi disruptions (Reuters).
  • UK protests & arrests around Gaza conflict (Guardian, Yahoo).
  • UN sessions and resolutions concerning Israel/Gaza (UN reports).