Seeds For Thinking

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Scripture: The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. (Psalm 118:22, NKJV)

A competitor thought to have little chance of winning a fight or contest is often referred to as an underdog, at least in our English vernacular. The saying apparently originated in the late 19th century with reference to the beaten dog in a dogfight.
Still, there is a certain satisfaction in witnessing the overlord getting their comeuppance, or suffering a downfall.
The long shot, dark horse, weaker one, little guy coming out on top. Especially if we identify with the downtrodden, the victim, the loser, the fall guy, the person who has little status in society, we want to see the underdog win.
Yesterday's underdog is today's champion!
Think David against Goliath; The host of Midianites and Amalekites, numerous as locusts, routed by Gideon and three-hundred men; Joshua destroying the city of Jericho with the blast of trumpets - and the walls came tumbling down!
The underdog often has abilities that are not recognized by the multitudes, while the top dog, the champion, is a proven winner. Goliath was such a champion for the Philistines, outclassing other men in stature, strength and weaponry. A boy, a shepherd lad, found a vital spot in Goliath’s armor. Arrayed in armor, going toe to toe with sword and shield, the outcome may have been different, but David had faced down lions armed with only his sling and stones. His skills and equipment were sufficient to the task.
Skilled leadership is often a critical factor in a winning effort. The coach, the trainer, the ‘spotter’ following the action makes the difference in many sporting events. These Biblical examples could be said to have had such leadership, Out Of This World leadership, in fact.
The Lord may or may not be aligned with the typical underdog, but David, Gideon, and Joshua were following the strategies from on High. The fact that each was more than overwhelmed by the opposition gave credence to the power of God.
The Bible doesn’t use our phrase “underdog.” Little good was ever said about dogs in their society. But a cornerstone has important and positive connotations in ancient and modern times. A cornerstone forms the base of a corner of a building, joining two walls; a stone ceremonially laid usually at the corner of a foundation to mark the occasion of a building being erected; an important quality or feature on which a particular thing depends or is based. It may be called the keystone, mainspring, mainstay, linchpin, bedrock, base, backbone, key, centerpiece, core, heart, center, crux.
Essential; important. Hardly an underdog. But the stone that the builders rejected, now that resembles the underdog. The looser, having little status in the pile of building stones.
Jesus, the Christ, has been compared to such a stone, a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense. The stone which the builders rejected. He is the “chief cornerstone; elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.” ( 1 Peter 2:6b, NKJV)
Christ is a living stone, rejected by men, but chosen by God, and precious. Peter writes, “Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient . . . “They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they were also appointed.”
(vs. 7a; 8b)
To become a champion, the Top Dog, the competitor must lay aside all bad habits and actions, and concentrate on that which brings perfection. Note that practice does not make perfect; practice makes permanent! So be certain that what you practice is perfect. As Peter wrote, “Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.” (1 Peter 1-2)

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Scripture: Jesus said, “Have you never read in the scriptures,: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.’ ” Matthew 21:42, NKJV

There is an old adage that cautions against “throwing out the baby with the bath water.” Many times in haste, or distaste, something of value is thrown out, turned aside, or relegated to nothingness.
There is the story of a man who confided to an associate that he had thrown out an old Bible, because, he said, “ Some guy named Martin Luther had written in the margins all through it.”
One of the fascinations for many viewers of the “Antiques Roadshow” on television is finding that many items that are deemed to be of no value by some people are considered to be worth a lot of money by others. We may even dream of finding that rare painting, an article of furniture by a renowned craftsman, or a letter by an early patriot.
More often, though, the people who clean out the attics and closets of a lifetime collection see it only as the flotsam and jetsam of a person who no longer has need for the stuff, while they have no clue as to the memories, heritage, or intrinsic values it holds. An old book is just an old book, especially if someone has written in the margins.
Housecleaning needs to be done, there is no question about that. However, we need to be wary of indiscriminate zeal that condemns everything to the dumpster. It might not be the baby that is thrown out, but beauty - and value - might be hidden by the “mote’ in your own eye, and not seen and appreciated for what it truly is.
Sometimes society does a “house-cleaning,” too, casting aside people, races, nationalities, or ideals, relegating them to nothingness. Jesus faced this prejudice, as evidenced by John 1:46, where Nathanael said of Him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (NKJV)
Shepherds were way down on the social ladder in Jesus’ day, yet it was to the shepherds that the first announcement of the Messiah’s birth was made.
Common folk - Galileeans, fishermen, tax collectors, unlearned men by the standards of the religious leaders in Jerusalem - made up Jesus’ inner circle, yet He chose them from God’s viewpoint, and not that of society.
A Samaritan, rather than the priest and Levite, is the better neighbor to a man in need in the parable of the Good Samaritan; a poor beggar is gathered to Abraham’s bosom in heaven, while the rich man is condemned to the flames below. Think about these things - and more - from God’s viewpoint. Jesus did the will of His Father, so follow Him!
Remember, those who thought they were building the “proper” society did not see the value in God’s Son.
May 15, 2005