“Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the Scriptures: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes”?’” (Matthew 21:42 ESV).
Matthew wrote to a primarily Jewish audience to present Jesus as the promised Messiah and rightful King. In this scene, Jesus responded to the chief priests and Pharisees who had challenged Him with the question, “By what authority are you doing these things?” Rather than defending Himself with human credentials, Jesus pointed them to Scripture. By asking, “Have you never read…?” He exposed both their ignorance and their resistance. The religious leaders claimed to stand on biblical authority, yet they failed to recognize that their rejection of Jesus fulfilled Psalm 118. Throughout His ministry, Jesus used this same kind of question on several occasions demonstrating His settled conviction that Scripture is the authoritative Word of God. Though He lived in perfect submission to the Father, He also consistently upheld the written Word as God’s voice. Their issue was not access to Scripture, but unwillingness to truly read it with submissive hearts.
We may have multiple Bibles in our homes, yet never open them and apply their words to our hearts. Jesus’ question confronts us personally: Have we never read the Scriptures? We read many things each day, but do we read God’s Word with attention, humility, and obedience? If Jesus appealed to Scripture, then we must place ourselves under that same authority. When questions arise about our beliefs, choices, or direction, we can turn to the Bible. We don’t stand over the Word to judge it; we sit under it to be shaped by it. Every time we open the Bible with open hearts, asking the Lord to speak to us through His Word, He is faithful to speak to us . So we answer Jesus’ question by returning again and again to read and study the Scriptures.
PRAYER: Dear Father, forgive us for neglecting Your Word or treating it lightly. Give us eager hearts to read, understand, and obey the Scriptures. Help us live joyfully under Your authority and treasure Your voice above all others. In Jesus’ name, amen.