Encouragement for Today

June 20, 2024 A Savior Worth Following KAREN WINGATE Lee en español

“The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone …” Psalm 118:22 (NIV)

Since childhood, I've known the facts of the Christian faith: God made the world, Jesus came into the world, Jesus died for the sins of the world, and Jesus came back to life. If I believe in Him, I get to be with Him forever.

But as I got older, I met people who questioned the truth of what I believed. At unexpected moments, doubt crept through my mind: Is it true? Confusingly, some people told me it didn’t matter who or what I believed in.

“As long as you believe in something, that’s what counts,” one told me.
“All roads lead to heaven,” another said.
“You believe what you want, and I’ll believe my way.”

And I wondered more. Would I reach the end of life and find out none of what I believed about Jesus was true? Was I wrong for thinking there was only one way to reach God? Why did Jesus say no one could come to God except through Him (John 14:6)?

When others challenged my faith, I longed for a clear example of why only Jesus saves.

I found my answer in the form of a rock.

This rock is part of an illustration Jesus Himself gave to show that even our everyday, earthly lives contain problems that have only one solution.

According to Luke 20:17-18, in the last week of His life, Jesus used the fitting image of a cornerstone to describe His unique purpose and identity, quoting a prophecy about Himself in Psalm 118:22: “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” In ancient buildings and walls, certain unique stones, different from typical, rectangular building stones, were used at pivotal points in the structure. For example, a cornerstone could set a foundation or anchor a wall.

Just as a stone different from all the rest is the only one that will fit the need to hold up a wall or establish a firm foundation, onlyJesus can restore our world to what God wants it to be. Jesus may not fit the mold of what people are looking for in a Savior, but as the Cornerstone, He has a specific, essential purpose: to save the world from sin and provide the gift of eternal life.

When we encounter others who insist that all belief systems are equal, it is hard to stand apart as having a different view. We may be accused of being narrow-minded and unaccepting. We may suffer socially, or even physically, for believing there’s only one way to salvation. But I’m so thankful Jesus lovingly invites all people to trust in Him, and He has given us an everyday example to clarify how He is, and must be, the only way to get to God.

Lord, thank You for Your patience in showing me why Your Son is the essential piece I need to draw near to You. Give me courage to share that beautiful message even with those who challenge my confidence in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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FOR DEEPER STUDY

John 6:68-69, “Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God’” (NIV).

Peter, one of Jesus’ apostles, gave the reason why he wasn’t willing to bail on his commitment to Jesus. Has someone challenged your faith in what Jesus came to earth to do? What helps you keep the faith? Share in the comments how we can pray for you.

© 2024 by Karen Wingate. All rights reserved.