Contemplative Bible Reading

Ephesians 2:20 (New Living Translation)

Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.

There is some old saying that has a thousand variations about “standing on others’ shoulders, not on others’ toes.” Of course, most old sayings go back to the Bible. This is one case.

The writer likens Christians to a house built on top of apostles (teachers) and prophets (those through whom God spoke). The cornerstone or first stone placed in the foundation is Jesus Christ.

Christians use what has been taught and written and move forward from that point. “Well, I have a new idea about some of this.” Wrong. New ideas aren’t needed. The foundation we have is more than sufficient. And the foundation we have allows great leeway in where we can go with our (almost and sort of) new ideas.

No need to invent it all over again. We have it given to us. Let’s just try to continue in the grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.