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From the Pastor's Desk:
 
February 25, 2026 
 
 
Scripture Focus: KJV Matthew 21:42: “Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?”

Dear Friends,

Sometimes we have to look backward and forward before understanding the truth. And this is true in the telling of Matthew 21:42.

From time to time, a passage of Scripture doesn’t just inform us, it helps us see ourselves more clearly. Matthew 21:39–45 is one of those places. Jesus tells a story about a vineyard owner who entrusted his vineyard to tenants. Over time, when the owner sent servants to receive the fruit that was due, the tenants mistreated them. Finally, the owner sent his son—thinking the tenants would respect him—but instead they cast him out and killed him.

It’s a hard story, and Jesus meant it to land with weight. He was speaking to people who were confident they were the “right” ones, the faithful builders of God’s work, yet they were missing what God was doing right in front of them. The point isn’t that God is eager to punish; the point is that persistent refusal of God’s rightful claim on our lives has consequences, and that refusing God’s Son is not a small matter.

Right in the center of this exchange sits Matthew 21:42, where Jesus speaks of “the stone which the builders rejected” becoming “the head of the corner.” In everyday terms, He’s describing a moment when the very piece someone tosses aside turns out to be the most important part of the whole structure. Builders can be experienced, respected, and sure of their judgment, and still be wrong about what matters most.

That verse is not an isolated “wise saying.” It's the key that unlocks the entire scene. The tenants’ violence in the parable (vs. 39–41) is one kind of rejection; the leaders’ unbelief in real life (vs. 43–45) is another. Jesus is telling them plainly: you can reject the Son, you can push Him outside the gate, you can act as if He is inconvenient to your plans, yet God will not be undone. The rejection does not cancel God’s purpose; God’s purpose overruns the rejection. The stone stands, and God places it where it belongs, at the corner, carrying the weight of what rises next.

And then Jesus adds, “This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.” It reminds us that God’s work can look surprising at first—sometimes even backwards to the way we expect outcomes to happen. But with time, we see that God was not improvising; He was building.

So what does Matthew 21:42 do in our own lives as a church family?

First, it invites humility. It warns us that it’s possible to be close to religious things—roles, routines, influences, even good intentions—and still reject what God is actually centering. We can be “builders” who are busy with many tasks and still overlook the Cornerstone if we’re not careful.

Second, it restores confidence. If you’ve ever felt dismissed, written off, or treated as though you don’t matter, remember that God has a history of taking what is rejected and giving it lasting purpose. That doesn’t mean every disappointment is good, but it does mean disappointment does not get the final word.

Third, it clarifies what “fruit” looks like. In the parable, the vineyard owner rightly expects fruit from what he planted and protected. When Christ is at the center—when the Cornerstone is in place—fruit becomes more than activity. It becomes faithfulness: repentance when we’re wrong, mercy when it’s costly, truth spoken with love, worship that shapes weekdays, and a community that reflects the character of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Finally, this passage calls us to a decision. Verse 45 says the leaders perceived Jesus was speaking about them. In other words, they understood the message, but understanding and surrender are not the same thing. Matthew 21 doesn’t leave us with vague inspiration; it asks us whether we will receive the Son, honor Him, and build our lives on Him? or whether we will keep Him at a distance because He challenges our sense of control.

My prayer for us is simple: that we would not miss the Cornerstone. That we would welcome Christ not only as comfort, but as foundation; not only as helper, but as Lord. And that, as God continues His work among us, we would be able to say—truly and gratefully—“This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.”

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
With love and gratitude,
Pastor/Elder Donald Bridgett