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Sometimes we need a friendly reminder that we AREN’T the Boss…Jesus is. Today’s teaching will make that crystal clear. The Bible uses a symbolic term to clarify His position of authority - CORNERSTONE. And here's the question YOU need to answer - Is Jesus the CORNERSTONE of YOUR life?

THE CORNERSTONE: often a large stone, but always an important stone - binding two walls together to strengthen them. The Bible often uses this symbol for rulers or leaders (Ps. 118:22; 144:12; Isa. 19:13; Zech. 10:4). This is what Jesus calls Himself - the cornerstone (Mt 21:42). 

Richard Lenski Jesus is “the one who governs every angle…in the great spiritual temple of God, the new covenant.”

Is Jesus the Cornerstone of your life - the authority of your life - the One who governs your life?

Fig trees were common in Israel, sometimes growing over 20 feet high and just as wide. They not only produced sweet figs but also served as a place of rest (Jn 1:48) & fellowship with others (Zech 3:9-10), protected from the baking sun. The appearance of leaves on the fig tree gave the hope that it was bearing an early crop. Since there was not fruit, Jesus curses the tree and it withered.

D.A. Carson “Its leaves advertised that it was bearing, but the advertisement was false.”

• The Synoptics (Matthew, Mark, & Luke) often give us more clarity than viewing one Gospel alone. Sometimes one follows   a chronological order (what Mark’s gospel does here), while another gives a condensed synopsis instead (which Matthew does here). Matthew condenses the story where the tree withered quickly and amazed the disciples. But Mark shows us that there was more time between the cursing of the tree, and it's demise. 

Mark then mentions Jesus going to clean house at the temple (Mk 11:15-19), as we learned about last week. The next morning, while traveling back into Jerusalem, that they see the fig tree from the day before.

Based on the context in both Matthew & Mark, this cursing of the fig tree seems to be something more significant than just being mad at a fruitless tree. This cursing of the tree seems to symbolize what is about to occur - a cursing of unbelieving Israel, who advertises being fruitful but proves to be fruitless, and so is cursed by Jesus in judgement.

Matthew sandwiches this story between the cleansing of the temple & the questioning of Jesus’ authority by the religious leaders.

Moving mountains was a well known Jewish metaphor for accomplishing a seemingly impossible task - most likely an allusion to Zech 4:6-7, where it’s not by the might of man but by God’s Spirit that the mighty mountain becomes level ground.  While we have no record of disciples of Jesus causing fig trees to wither nor throwing mountains into the sea, WE DO have examples where disciples of Jesus have faith and do not doubt, asking God to make the impossible become possible.  

• Peter is thrown into prison but miraculously released as the Church prays for him (Acts 12). God releases Paul & Silas from prison as they pray and sing to the Lord (Acts 16:25-26). 
• We have multiple testimonies of people being miraculously healed as the apostles ask God and trust God to heal (Acts 3:1-11, 5:12, 9:40, 28:7–10). 
• And even through persecution, the Good News of Jesus marches on while enemies of the Gospel wither and are moved out of the way - as God works among His people who ask Him and trust Him to move.
• As should always be understood - WE don’t have the authority that Jesus had to speak things into or out of existence.       We DO have the privilege to approach our Heavenly Father and ask HIM to do what we cannot, asking that HIS WILL be done (Mt 6:10, 26:42).
• What MOUNTAIN - what seemingly impossible barrier are you TRUSTING & ASKING God to move/remove?

These things are likely referring not only to Jesus teaching and healing in the temple, but the TEMPLE TANTRUM that we saw last week, where Jesus ran out the money changers and animals, and accused the temple leaders of making this a den of robbers rather than a house of prayer. Jesus wasn’t one of the religious leaders, trained under well respected rabbis.   So, WHO gave Him the authority to do these things?

Jesus obviously recognized that John told the truth and was sent by God. Tax collectors and prostitutes who originally told God “I will not!” changed their minds, to believe and repent. The religious leaders were like the son who said, “I will sir” to his father, but did NOT. And so, the worst of the worst sinners - tax collectors and prostitutes, we're welcomed into the kingdom while the best of the best among the Jews– these religious leaders – were shut out from the kingdom. There’s no doubt they understood what Jesus was saying.

The Landowner is God the Father. The tenants working the land are the religious leaders.

The servants who have been imprisoned and killed are the prophets - men like John the Baptist, who had spoken God’s truth & warned of God’s wrath.

The Son is Jesus.

And finally, the future tenants - we’ll see who they are in just a moment. 

 There are different thoughts among archaeologists & Bible scholars on what Jesus is referring to that we translate as cornerstone. 

Cornerstone could be referring to a LARGE foundational stone like this, at the base of the Temple Mount enclosure wall. These cornerstones are estimated to weigh over 80 tons!

This might be referring to KEYSTONES in middle of an arched gateways/doorways - the center and topmost stone that joins the other 2 sides and supports the arch. Remove this stone and the arch and all it supports would come tumbling down. This stone often contained the name of the city, the ruler, or the builder was carved into it.

Both of these types of stones carry the idea of foundational permanence. 

Either way, imagine the stonemasons carefully examining the raw materials in order to select only the best stones for building the Temple. One stone doesn’t make the grade of what is worthy and so they throw it onto the reject pile…but THAT Stone, the one they rejected - is the most important piece - the Cornerstone!

One day their Temple would be obliterated with all the stones throne down (AD 70). It will become clear that the temple of God is in the heart of mankind and…

Jesus is the CORNERSTONE - the KING of the KINGdom!…which everything else in built upon.

How many people actually believe they can reject the Cornerstone…or at least dilute His claims….and then expect to make it into the Kingdom of God?

Jesus is the CORNERSTONE - the KING of the KINGdom!

And one day, He WILL judge all mankind (Mt 25).

Take some time to discuss these questions with your family, friends, or group.

1. Read Matthew 21:18-19 & 21:43-46. Have you ever considered the correlation between the fig tree that looked to be fruitful, but was not, and the religious leaders who rejected the authority of Jesus? Explain your answer and take some time to examine the connection with your group.
2. Read Matthew 21:23-42. While reading the stories Jesus tells, spend some time deciphering what the stories are really illustrating & talk about the parallels between those who follow Jesus and those who reject Him (e.g. tax collectors & prostitutes vs religious leaders).
3. After reading today’s passage, how does the reaction of Jesus challenge you, encourage you, or cause you concern? 
4. Today’s BIG TRUTH: Jesus is the CORNERSTONE - the KING of the KINGdom!. Take some time to discuss the importance of a cornerstone/keystone in a building and how that relates to Jesus.
5. Share any ‘aha’ moments in today’s study - what you learned or how you were challenged. What’s God want YOU to do with what we studied today?
6. In humility, take some time to share a couple of evidences that Jesus IS (or IS NOT) the Cornerstone of your life.
7. Read Matthew 21:29-22. What are some mountains you have seen God move? What are some ‘mountains’ you are asking & trusting God to move? Take some time to pray together with your group.