But, looking intently at them, He said, ‘What therefore is this that is written: The stone that was rejected by the builders, it has been made the head of the corner?’
Luke 20:17
This is one of the interpretive questions Jesus asks the Jewish leaders. And it is particularly pointed in this context. He intends to give them no room to escape. He makes it very clear that they are to be the fulfillment of prophecy concerning the rejection of the Messiah. Jesus is here directly quoting Psalm 118:22.
We must remember the nature of prophecy. The Jewish people as a whole did not reject the Lord only because it was prophesied that they would. It was prophesied that they would because God knew back in eternity past that this is what would happen. There is no degree to which humanity is not culpable for the choices made. This is why the Lord says that there is nobody who is righteous.
Many may have objections to this on the basis of the Sovereignty of God, saying that nobody could resist His will even if they wanted to. To this it must be replied that nothing and nobody could ever ultimately resist the will of God because He knows and superintends everything long before it ever happens. His Sovereignty is absolute and is injured in no way by saying we may choose to resist His will. For no amount of resistance may frustrate the purposes of the One Who knows everything before it ever happens. The devil and all his followers has not for one moment ever stopped Almighty God from accomplishing that which He has Sovereignly intended to do.
Heavenly Father, we live our lives as a tale that is told. Though our every choice is new and fresh to us, it is all known to You. I live in constant comfort in the knowledge that You know and control my beginning and my future. I can rest in You, for I know You have never once been surprised by anything. I love You, and I love living here, even with the presence of sin. But as all creation, I long for that day soon to come in which You have ended the time for rebellion. Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.