The Rejected Stone
April 21, 2024
John 10:11-18 and Acts 4:5-12
Generally, when someone does a good deed, you think they would be praised for doing so, especially when someone’s life has been saved, or someone has been healed. That would be the common sense response we would expect, right?
Yet, continuing in the same story that we discussed last week where Peter and John were questioned for healing the lame man, today’s story takes it a step further, in that not only are Peter and John being questioned for their actions of healing, they are now brought before the local authorities that are threatened by this power of healing.
Peter has spoken boldly about the name by which he has received this power to heal the lame man, and now he and John stand in front of authorities, who just like in Jesus’ life, continue to be threatened when another power is mentioned. It is the highest power of leaders that are assembled here to do the questioning.
When you think about it, it is unbelievable! Just consider for a moment, that you are on your way to church this morning, and as you approach the steps, there at the foot of the steps is a lame man asking you to stop and pray with him, asking you to heal him.
Now, today, we would most likely call 911 to come take the man to the hospital. However, just suppose that instead of calling 911, Ray and Bryan, kneel down, touch the man, pray with him, and then pronounce that the lame man is healed by the power of Jesus.
What would our reaction be? Would we think they were participating in some prank, and just laugh at them as we walk by and continue into the church? Or would we pause in amazement, run up to them, hug their necks and say, “Praise the Lord! To God be the glory?!”
I just wonder at the scene on the street when Peter boldly announces to them that this man has been healed by the power in Jesus’ name, what the reaction on the street looked like.
Because something really powerful had just happened, were these people singing praises, or were they backing up, walking around these three men, Peter, John and the lame man.
Were they scared of that power? Or did they receive it with awe and wonder? Did they want to be a part of whatever power they were witnessing? Or did they reject it?
I’m sure if they were among those being oppressed, then I’m sure they were thinking, “give me a touch of that!”
For sure, the authorities were certainly up in arms, and this leads to them doing what they always do best, investigate. They didn’t just invite people from the street who had witnessed the healing to participate in the investigation, but they, being mighty rulers, elders, scribes, high priests and the high-priestly family, all gathered for the investigation.
They had to investigate so they could maintain control.
They gathered not to offer praise, but to reject the action by Peter and John.
In Luke, Jesus words tells his disciples that when they are asked by what authority or power they heal, they should not worry about how to defend themselves. Anticipating what the disciples would be facing as they witnessed and healed on their journey, Jesus explained to them:
‘When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, do not worry about how you are to defend yourselves or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what you ought to say.’ (Luke 12:11-12)
Sometimes when we are going before others, we knowingly prepare, and we are right to do so. Yet we can also remember when we pray for what to say, the Holy Spirit will teach us what to say and how to respond at the appropriate hour.
So here Peter and John stand before the authorities, and the words of the Good Shepherd resonate.
Peter speaks boldly because he is filled with the Holy Spirit, and this is the first of many incidents in Acts where the disciples, the witnesses of all Jesus did and said, proclaim boldly from the power of the Spirit.
It’s not enough that Peter tells them that this man was healed by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, but he goes on to add, this is the same Jesus they crucified. “You rejected the stone that has become the cornerstone, and there is no one else on earth by whom one can receive salvation.”
Now even if these authorities know he speaks the truth, they certainly cannot admit it. They certainly cannot rise from their seats and say, “Well done good servants! Today you have healed a lame man!”
Actually, they could have praised them if they were willing to admit there was a power greater than theirs.
If the authorities did this, he would show there is a power greater than they are, and certainly they would lose control of those whom they oppress.
When Peter tells them there is no other name by which they can receive salvation, he not only is speaking to the authorities before him, but to all of the people of Israel.
Peter is giving witness to the fact, that while the leaders put Jesus to death, it was their “God who raised Jesus back to life.” Jesus’ resurrection is his vindication to the leaders that they could not kill him, because they had no power over him.
Peter is poking his finger in their eye when he states boldly, ‘This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone.’
This statement is a repeat of the scripture in Psalm 118 (v.22). A scripture that these authorities would know. A scripture now fulfilled.
When we look at the Good Shepherd watching over his sheep to make sure they are not scattered, we see he cares for us and heals us. This rejected stone that brings salvation that generates wholeness, restoration, and the reversal of social norms knows us and oversees our every move to protect us. He does this out of love, not because he is paid to do it.
Being saved and made whole is the reason Jesus was sent to us by God so that we are supported and lifted up by the cornerstone. Nothing can stand without it.
God loves Jesus because Jesus lived out his commandments fully, and the core commandment that Jesus gives his disciples is that they love one another, just as Jesus himself had loved them.
Jesus loved them to the point of laying down his life. Love doesn’t get any larger than that, does it?
The rejected stone has the power to hold everything together as was shown to us by the Good Shepherd laying down his life for us, and then being resurrected.
Peter’s response to the authorities is a bold response to express the saving nature of Jesus.
Empowered by the Holy Spirit, Peter responds with a frank and straightforward emphasis of the truth, the Word of God, and he responds with great courage.
We are still empowered and emboldened today by the Holy Spirit. We acknowledge it in our faith and through our prayers.
In his writings, Thomas Merton, wisely stated:
‘In one sense we are always traveling, and traveling
as if we did not know where we were going.
In another sense we have arrived.
We cannot arrive at the perfect possession of God in this
life, and that is why we are traveling in darkness. But
we already possess Him by grace, and therefore, in that
sense, we have arrived and are dwelling in the light.
But oh! How far have I to go to find You in
Whom I have already arrived!’
We can stop traveling; searching for Jesus. He is right here with us, and we can stop. We can rest as we welcome his presence and say, “thank you, Lord, for being with me as I walk through life. I am so grateful you are my Good Shepherd, my cornerstone that holds me up, and gives me strength to face whatever comes my way. I am grateful that you bring peace and healing. I am grateful that you find me when I wander away from you, when I lose my way. I am grateful that I am held and loved by YOU, O Lord, the rejected stone.”
Just as Jesus is the cornerstone for us, and as we are one in the Body of Christ, we are also then made to be cornerstones for those who are around us so that we may lift them up and support them in the same manner that we are lifted up and supported by our Lord. It’s not an easy task, and can sometimes be overwhelming, so we have to keep our eye on the greatest cornerstone that renews us and strengthens us to continue his work in the world.
We have been granted the power in the name of Jesus, just as Peter boldly proclaimed to the authorities that questioned him. In the joy and fullness of the Good Shepherd, we are called to love ourselves, each other, and our neighbors.
To God be the glory!
[PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and LORD’S PRAYER]
O God, we come to you today with boldness, and offer our prayers to you, the Shepherd of our souls. We pray for the church in every place. Gather us together and make us one in ministry and mission in our community and in the world. We pray for the nations of the world, that like the rulers and authorities of old, are more concerned with greed and gaining power than the welfare of your people. We pray out for all leaders that they be anointed with your love and wisdom, that their minds become confused in their wicked plans, and that your goodness rains down in showers of peace and blessings for all your people. We pray for this community, and ask that you strengthen those who work each day to heal the sick, welcome the outcasts, and help sisters and brothers in need. We pray for friends and loved ones that seem to have more on their plate than they can handle, and we pause now to remember these and all who have asked for our prayers__________________________________________________________
Comfort all who are suffering, healing Lord. Walk with them through the dark valleys and restore them, body, mind and spirit. Loving God, by the power of your Spirit, help us to keep your commandments and to love one another with the love of Jesus, in whose name we pray together the prayer he taught us to pray…Our Father, who art in heaven…..
Amen.