Be the Proof

Acts 4:5-12New International Version (NIV)

5 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is

“‘the stone you builders rejected,
    which has become the cornerstone.’[a]

12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Footnotes:

1. Acts 4:11 Psalm 118:22

In the course of life, we will all face some sort of rejection.  Whether it is not getting the promotion we wanted, the childhood crush that broke our hearts, or some one making us feel like we weren’t loved.  Life has a funny way of keeping us humble by the rejection we sometimes face.  Our scripture this morning references Psalm 118 when it talks about Jesus being the stone that builders rejected who has now become the cornerstone.  But to read those same words in Psalm 118 it gives me the impression that the author of that Psalm feels like God has made them the cornerstone that the builders previously rejected.  It makes sense for Jesus to be called the cornerstone because Jesus was rejected when he stood in front of the crowds.  It makes sense to apply this phrase to Jesus because he is the absolute cornerstone of our faith.  What if I told you that you also have this kind of power and strength?  What if I told you that God created you to be the cornerstone even if you had been rejected?  Psalm 118:22-24 says, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.  The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.”  To me, that sounds like the writer of these words is thanking God for the revelation of God’s power in their life.  In other words, we are each capable of being the foundation, the strength, the voice, the courage for ourselves and for others.  

We often make the mistake of seeing our rejection as God’s way of telling us that we aren’t good enough.  We often take the harsh words someone once spoke to us as the view God has of us.  We often take the rejection we face as God telling us that we aren’t good enough.  We take all of these things as it starts to build up and blame God.  We turn our backs on Him.  We take these words to heart and it creates a wedge between us and God.  This wedge does not just cause us to fall away from God, it also causes us to draw apart from the other relationships in our life.  We are creatures designed to be in relationship with God and with one another.  

In my opinion, there are two possible solutions to this problem of rejection.  One, we can do our best to make sure no one feels rejected.  We can love everyone as we are called to do.  We can do our best to be inclusive in our language and dealings with one another.  In theory, this is the best option if it could work.  In theory, it is definitely our best option but the realist in me thinks it is unlikely.  Is it something we should strive for? Undoubtedly.  No doubt, we should do our best to be inclusive, to love one another.  But simply, we cannot.  We will fall short.  No matter how inclusive our language and effort to make everyone welcome, we will eventually come up short somewhere but nonetheless, this is something we should strive for even if it looks like our effort is in vain. The second option is to empower those who feel rejection.  The key here is letting people know that despite what this life may throw at them, they are loved by God and they are loved by us.  It is one thing to tell a person that God loves them but if they do not have proof of that love, then our words fall short.  If I do not show you that God loves you, if my actions or words contradict what I say, then I am helping to drive the wedge instead of closing the gap.  Jesus is the good shepherd, but each of us are called to do the same as Christ.  We are called to be a shepherd.  

The best solution to this problem of rejection is a combination of the two solutions I already proposed.  We love and empower.  It seems simple but this is the best solution to a lot of what we face in the world today.  Think about it, if we shed our insecurities and prejudices while doing our best to love another then there are many issues that would no longer divide us.  We are the proof that God loves.  This is not something to be taken lightly either.  We are the stones that the builders rejected.  We have become the cornerstone.  That kind of power is inside you.  You are capable of that kind of strength.  Most importantly, you are capable of that kind of love.  Love and empower the weak, the rejected, the hurt, and the forgotten.  Prove to them God’s love.  Show them God’s grace.

Verse 12 of our scripture this morning says, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”  This is phrase that keeps us humble.  We may be the cornerstone.  We may become strong and courageous.  We will recover.  We will thrive.  But we must remember how we got that way.  We are only strong and courageous because God first loved us.  We are powerful because God is powerful.  Our power, boldness, strength, and courage come from above.  We sometimes can let success turn into greed and forget where the success came from and our personal faith is no different.  We may be the cornerstone but we must remember who placed us there.

On this good shepherd Sunday, let us all be reminded of the good shepherds we are called to be.  The takeaway from today is that you are powerful and loving because Jesus lives in your heart.  Be the proof of that power and love for others.  The rejection you have faced has landed you in the loving grace of God.  Be thankful for such a blessing.  Do you best to empower instead of neglect.  Love instead of reject.  Amen.