As the United States formed as a nation, it had no place to call home for its government. Congress met in eight different cities to conduct the affairs of the nation. “In 1790, Congress passed the Residence Act, which gave President Washington the power to select a permanent home for the federal government. The following year, he chose what would become the District of Columbia from land provided by Maryland and Virginia.”1
On yesterday’s date, 231 years ago, President George Washington was in his fifth year as president. He attended a special ceremony where he was privileged to lay the cornerstone to the United States capitol building. This was to be the “home of the legislative branch of American government. The building would take nearly a century to complete, as architects came and went, the British set fire to it and it was called into use during the Civil War. Today, the Capitol building, with its famous cast-iron dome and important collection of American art, is part of the Capitol Complex, which includes six Congressional office buildings and three Library of Congress buildings, all developed in the 19th and 20th centuries.”2
Washington’s term in office ended March 4, 1797. Three years later, Congress moved into the north wing. Ten 10 years later the House of Representatives took occupancy in the south wing which wouldn’t be completed until 1811. Through a century of work, the building expanded, received modifications and improvements, and even recovered from a fire set by the British in 1814.
How important is the cornerstone in masonry? According to a variety of sources, “The cornerstone is the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation. It is the most important part of any building, as it serves as a basis for the entire building and provides stability and strength. The cornerstone determines the outcome of the entire structure, and all other stones are set in reference to this stone.”3
Seems like Washington’s cornerstone was essential to building a structure that is still used daily for governmental business and is visited by three million people per year!4
The prophet Isaiah wrote in Isaiah 28:16, “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.” Who or what is that cornerstone? Peter, quoting this passage, clears up the mystery. “Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.” (1 Peter 2:6)
Isaiah and Peter are speaking of Jesus. Paul spells this out in Ephesians 2:20. “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.”
The Christian life cannot be built apart from Jesus and the message of His salvation. People will often try to build their own religion or religious beliefs that are contrary to the clear teaching of Scripture. What they build is a shack on shifting sand! It’s not a question of if it will crumble. It’s a question of when!
Jesus couldn’t have made it any plainer than He did in response to Thomas’ question in John 14:5-6. “Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? (6) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
This leaves no wiggle room. There is only ONE way to God and Heaven and that is THROUGH Jesus Christ. A person coming through Jesus must do so by believing and receiving the salvation provided in the Gospel message for themselves. The Gospel is simply Jesus crucified, Jesus buried, 
Jesus risen. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) The whole of Christianity was built upon this Cornerstone and the individual Christian must begin building their Christian life on this Cornerstone.
Everyone is religious in their own right. But everyone doesn’t have a relationship with Jesus. Carefully examine your life right now. Are you built on that Chief Cornerstone? This is where it begins so that the rest of the building of the Christian life is solid and stable.
Paul concludes Ephesians 2:21-22 with these words, “In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: (22) In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
1https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/capitol-cornerstone-is-laid
2Ibid.
3https://www.bing.com/search?q=how+important+is+the+cornerstone+in+building&cvid=b89f5e139ab8454cb011ecbc985d08f2&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBggAEAAYQDIGCAAQABhAMgYIARBFGDkyBggCEAAYQDIGCAMQABhAMgYIBBAAGEAyBggFEAAYQDIGCAYQABhAMgYIBxAAGEAyBggIEAAYQNIBCDYxOTJqMGo0qAIIsAIB&FORM=ANAB01&PC=LCTS
4https://www.visitthecapitol.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fact-sheets/building_facts _by_ the_ numbers.pdf
Images are taken from https://pixabay.com/, https://www.pexels.com/, or https://unsplash.com/images or created in Windows Copilot. According to the websites, they are Royalty Free and free to be used for our purposes.
