The Capstone

The Capstone

Words of Faith 1-24-2020

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2020

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

To unsubscribe follow the directions at the end of this devotion.

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

1 Peter 2

        [4] As you come to him, the living Stone‑‑rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him‑‑ [5] you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. [6] For in Scripture it says:

    "See, I lay a stone in Zion,

        a chosen and precious cornerstone,

    and the one who trusts in him

        will never be put to shame."

      [7] Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,"

        A capstone is an interesting piece.  It is the highest stone in a structure-- a crowning achievement.  If it is at a corner, it is a "chief cornerstone,” beautiful and ornate.   If the structure is an arch, the capstone may also be a "keystone"-- the oddly-shaped stone that holds the arch in place.  You see the keystone at the very top of a stone archway.  It is unique.  No other stone is shaped like it.  It is essential.  Without it, the arch would collapse.

       We can almost see the stonemason, having completed most of the work, looking around through the discarded stones for just the perfect fit.  In an arch, this is the one stone that will bear the weight of the arch and the load above.  It must be just right.  It might even have to be broken so that the fit is perfect.

        Jesus is that stone.  Peter first told us that Jesus is the cornerstone, the very first stone set in place with which every other stone must align.  Now, we see that Jesus also is the capstone, the very last stone set in place, and the one that causes all of the others to work together. 

        Jesus is the alpha and the omega.  He is the starting point and completion.  He is the author and the finisher of our faith.  He calls us together as a spiritual structure, and He completes us so that we may indeed fulfill His purpose.  He, who was once rejected, even discarded, is now elevated to the place above the door.

        But Peter's image is more than just reflective.  There is a choice to be made about this stone named Jesus.  To those who believe, He is precious, more precious than anything.  Though shaped like no other, He is perfect in every way. 

        But to many who do not believe, He is an odd stone.  He does not fit into their lives.  Perhaps they simply have not seen the gap in their arch or the weaving of the walls.  Without a cornerstone properly placed, the walls will be crooked.  Without a capstone at the top, a collapse is unavoidable! 

       It is interesting the way that Peter phrases this-- But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone."  Though rejected and broken, Jesus will be the Capstone of all creation and history! 

       Paul made it clear that, at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philip. 2:10-12).  Even those who have rejected Jesus will finally confess His Lordship even if in a destiny separated from God.  To those who do not believe, the stone that they rejected will become the capstone.

       So how is your spiritual house?  Have you allowed God to set your cornerstone?  How about the capstone?  If you look carefully, you will see there is a place that only He can fill.

        Father God, set Your Son Jesus into my life as the cornerstone and guide for all that I am.  Set Your Son Jesus as the capstone in my life causing everything to fit together.  Author my faith.  Complete my faith.  In Jesus' name.

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

SUBSCRIPTIONS - To receive the Words of Faith devotion five days a week, send an E-mail message addressed to join-words-of-faith@hub.xc.org. To stop receiving Words of Faith, send an E-mail message addressed to unsubscribe-words-of-faith@hub.xc.org.  Or you can call the church office at 321-259-7200 x1.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -     

The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, and our website, and our church app, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2010 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.  

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><