Jesus the Rejected Cornerstone & the Caution to Honor Spiritually Appointed Relationships

There’s a quiet danger in only seeing people through the lens of appearance, past, or performance.

It’s the same danger that caused many to overlook Jesus.

Psalm 118:22—and later echoed in Matthew 21:42—says, “The stone the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.” This wasn’t just a metaphor. It was a prophetic warning. Jesus, the very foundation of God’s redemptive plan, was rejected by the ones who should have recognized Him. Why? Because He didn’t look the part.

The same can happen to us.

If we judge by the flesh—by what we see on the surface—we risk rejecting people God has assigned to help us build, grow, and walk in our purpose. We may overlook divine connections simply because they don’t come in the packaging we expected.

Paul gives us a powerful shift in perspective:

“So from now on we regard no one according to the flesh.” —2 Corinthians 5:16

That’s not just advice—it’s a mandate. In the Kingdom, relationships are spiritual before they are practical. And we need the Holy Spirit’s help to perceive them rightly.

Spiritual Discernment Over Surface Judgments

Jesus was dismissed because of where He came from. “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46).

His critics allowed geography and familiarity to blind them to glory.

Let’s not do the same.

We must ask:

Who are the “cornerstones” in our lives that we’ve dishonored, downplayed, or dismissed because they didn’t fit our mold?

That co-worker you avoid?

That mentor who speaks with uncomfortable clarity?

That friend who holds you accountable?

They might just carry a divine assignment in your life.

When we judge prematurely, we shut the door on what God is trying to build.

Application: Let the Holy Spirit Lead Every Relationship

From spouses and spiritual leaders to teammates and mentees, every relationship in your life should be held with spiritual sensitivity.

Ask God:

“What is Your purpose in this connection?”

And listen. Because often, destiny comes dressed in the ordinary.

Scriptures for Reflection:

• Matthew 21:42 – Jesus as the rejected cornerstone
• 1 Peter 2:4–5 – We are living stones being built into a spiritual house
• 2 Corinthians 5:16 – Don’t regard others according to the flesh
• Romans 12:10 – “Honor one another above yourselves.”
• John 7:24 – “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”

Final Thought:

Honor opens doors that judgment slams shut. Don’t reject what Heaven has ordained because it doesn’t come in the wrapper you were expecting.

About the Author:

Hakim Taliaferro is a faith-driven entrepreneur, speaker, and founder of Alpha Talk and The Taliaferro, a luxury fragrance house. With a heart for equipping Kingdom-minded leaders, Hakim blends spiritual wisdom and marketplace strategy to help others walk boldly in their God-given identity and assignment. He is a devoted husband, father, and mentor committed to building legacy through faith, excellence, and authenticity.