On May 21, 2009, the first stone for the Jerusalem temple was set in place.

A small band of people marched through downtown Jerusalem as a thirteen-ton block was paraded through the city and planted at the Dung Gate. It is the first stone, a figurative cornerstone, for what many Jewish people believe to be the last rebuilding of the temple and the ushering in of world peace as God takes residence there.

In construction, the cornerstone is the principal stone by which all the other stones are arranged. It is often the largest, most solid stone, setting the standard for where and what will be laid around it.

When Peter called Jesus the cornerstone, he was saying that faith begins with Jesus. First, we must believe He is God’s Son, the Messiah, our needed Savior, and then our prayers, our rituals, our traditions will fall into place.

First Jesus, then our day. First Jesus, then our work. First Jesus, then our family. Without Him, our lives can’t function well. Without Him, our figurative buildings, whatever they may be, can’t stand.

Jesus is our Cornerstone. Our faith doesn’t need another temple to be built. God’s residence already stands firm in Jesus and also in us.