Luke 20

Scripture Focus:
“But he looked at them and said, ‘What then does this text mean:
“The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone”?’”
— Luke 20:17 (NRSVUE)

Reflection

In Luke 20, the religious leaders question Jesus’ authority. They challenge His words, His actions, His very identity. In response, Jesus tells a parable about tenants who reject the owner’s son—an image pointing to Himself and the rejection He will soon face. Yet even in this story of resistance, Jesus offers a word of hope: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”

This is the mystery of God’s kingdom—what the world dismisses, God redeems. The rejected becomes essential. The broken becomes the foundation for something new. The One who is cast aside becomes the cornerstone of salvation.

Advent teaches us to look for God in unexpected places. The same pattern appears in Bethlehem: a manger instead of a throne, shepherds instead of rulers, a child instead of a conqueror. God is still building His kingdom on what others might overlook.

When our lives feel unstable, when the world feels uncertain, we can remember that our faith rests on this cornerstone—solid, sure, and steadfast.

Prayer

Steadfast God,
You build Your kingdom on mercy and truth,
not on power or pride.
When we feel rejected or unseen,
remind us that You make beautiful things
out of what the world overlooks.
Be the cornerstone of our faith,
the foundation of our hope,
and the center of our hearts.
Help us to trust the strength of Your love
when everything else feels fragile.
Amen.

Practice

Find a stone today—a small one from your yard, garden, or path.
Hold it in your hand as you pray this simple prayer:
“Christ, my Cornerstone, let my life be built on You.”

Keep the stone somewhere visible this week—
on your desk, kitchen counter, or beside your bed—
as a reminder that God is building something steady and lasting
in you and through you.

Copyright © 2025 Ronda Welander