The Stone the Builders Rejected (Palm Sunday)

Readings, Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 and John 12:12-16
Image, Palm Sunday, A. Lois White (1935)
 
We enter Holy Week together, and today’s psalm gives us one of those most succinct and sublime verses which teaches the very foundation of Christian proclamation:
 
The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
 
A couple of weeks ago Jesus had his confrontation in the temple, when after turning over tables and chasing out the money changers, he was asked by what authority he did such things. Jesus told them that if they tore down the Temple, he would raise it himself in three days. What no one realised, in that moment at least, was that Jesus was referring to himself as the temple, he was the stone which would be raised… but, as we know too well, he shall be rejected. All those here, in the days following this jubilation, turn away. But the stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
 
Easter is the great reversal, the grand table turning of God’s way over the ways of the world. This Galilean peasant arrives in the temple with a ragtag group of fishermen, tax collectors, wealthy women, and one guy raised from the dead. A strange sight to herald as the One who comes in the name of the Lord. But the ragtag group, the motley scene, the humble colt, all of which is there to confirm the teaching "do not be afraid, daughters of Zion." The one who comes in the name of the Lord comes not with sword and army, not with might and intimidation, not with fear and coercion, but in humility, mercy, grace, and above all, love. But what awaits one so blessed? He is opposed on all sides, betrayed by one of his own, denied by another, abandoned by a host more. He is arrested, subjected to a grand miscarriage of justice, and is tortured, exploited, violated - crowned with thorns and derision. His clothes they shall steal, his prayers they shall sleep through, his body they shall pierce, and his kingdom they shall bury. Or, at least, this is how it shall appear. Instead, the stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
 
For despite the fickleness of their hosannas, this is indeed the one who comes in the name of the Lord. And despite their intended irony, this is indeed the King. And despite his crucifixion this is indeed the glorified one. And despite his death this is indeed the living Lord. For God is Good, and God’s steadfast love endures forever. And the one who appears defeated shall reappear in the triumph of the resurrection. Death will be defeated through death, Sin will be vanquished by the one who became sin, the power of empire will be exposed as futile by the weakness of God. Goodness shall prevail, truth will out, love will win, for the stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. 
 
This Holy Week, let us press in near to the foot of the cross, to see the great swindle of life over death, grace over sin, love over hate, God over all. For we are not those disciples in those crowds, who did not yet understand. We are those who have seen Christ glorified, and who look back and know: This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes - the stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone