THAT STONE / LUKE 20:17-18

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Luke 20:17-18

And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? ¹⁸ Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

That Stone: Understanding the Gravity of Luke 20:17-18

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus looks directly at the religious leaders of His day and asks a piercing question rooted in ancient prophecy:

“What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.” — Luke 20:17-18 (KJV)

This image of “That Stone” is not a gentle metaphor. It is a profound, ultimate crossroad for every human soul. Jesus presents Himself as the immutable bedrock of reality. We cannot move Him, we cannot alter Him, and we cannot ignore Him. We can only choose how we encounter Him.

The Two Encounters with the Stone

Jesus outlines two distinct ways a person collides with this Stone, drawing a sharp line between redemption and final judgment:

1. Falling Upon the Stone: The Brokenness of Repentance

To “fall upon” the Stone means to cast ourselves entirely upon the mercy of Jesus Christ. When we collapse onto Him in faith, our pride, self-righteousness, and rebellion are shattered.

This is a necessary, life-giving brokenness. As the scriptures remind us, God does not despise a broken spirit and a contrite heart (Psalms 51:17). We must allow our old selves to be broken on the Rock so that He can rebuild us into a firm foundation.

2. The Stone Falling Upon You: The Weight of Judgment

To defy, ignore, or reject Jesus means standing irresolute in sin [9]. Jesus warns that for those who remain in opposition, a day is coming when the Stone will fall, grinding them to powder.

This imagery perfectly mirrors the prophetic warnings woven throughout the Old Testament:

• Isaiah 8:14 and Luke 2:34: Christ is described as a sanctuary for those who believe, but a stumbling stone and a rock of offense to those who reject Him.
• Daniel 2:34-35, 44-45: The prophet Daniel visions a great stone, cut out without human hands, that strikes the defiant kingdoms of the world, crushing them until they are like chaff blown away by the wind.

The Ultimate Choice

What we experience from Jesus entirely depends on our response to Him. He will firmly support the humble, but He will inevitably crush the proud who resist His authority. God does not force us to serve Him, but He warns us with immense clarity because He is not willing that any should perish.

Today, the invitation stands open. We can choose to be broken in humility at the feet of our Savior, or face the terrifying reality of being crushed under His final judgment. Let us choose to build our lives securely upon the Chief Cornerstone.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to be the firm Rock of our salvation. Lord, we confess that our human pride often resists Your authority. We ask that You convict our hearts today. Do not let us harden our hearts or stumble blindly over Your truth.

We choose to fall upon You, Jesus. Break our arrogance, shatter our self-reliance, and mend us by Your grace into a holy temple built upon Your righteousness. Thank You that Your mercy is sufficient for all who call upon Your name. Protect us from the impending judgment of rejection, and let our lives bring glory to Your holy name.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

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Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

1. GIVE THE VINEYARD TO OTHERS / LUKE 20:16
2. THE PARABLE OF THE TENANTS / LUKE 20:9-16
3. BY WHAT AUTHORITY? / LUKE 20:2
4. DRIVING OUT THOSE WHO WERE SELLING / LUKE 19:45
5. YOUR ENEMIES … ENCIRCLE YOU / LUKE 19:43
6. SAW THE CITY HE WEPT / LUKE 19:41
7. THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY / LUKE 19:28-44
8. WHAT HE HAS WILL BE TAKEN AWAY / LUKE 19:26
9. YOU HAVE BEEN TRUSTWORTHY / LUKE 19:17
10. UNTIL I COME BACK / LUKE 19:13
11. THOUGHT THE KINGDOM WAS GOING TO APPEAR / LUKE 19:11
12. SEEK AND TO SAVE / LUKE 19:10
13. I GIVE TO THE POOR / LUKE 19:8
14. SPIRITUAL CONVERSION OF ZACHAEUS / LUKE 19:1-10
15. SON OF DAVID / LUKE 18:38-39
16. RECEIVE MANY TIMES AS MUCH / LUKE 18:30
17. A RICH MAN … THE KINGDOM / LUKE 18:24-25
18. SELL EVERYTHING YOU HAVE / LUKE 18:22
19. LIKE A LITTLE CHILD / LUKE 18:16
20. THE PHARISEE AND THE TAX COLLECTOR / LUKE 18:9-14
21. HE WILL SEE THAT THEY GET JUSTICE – WILL HE FIND FAITH ON THE EARTH? / LUKE 18:8
22. CHOSEN ONES WHO CRY OUT … DAY AND NIGHT / LUKE 18:7
23. THEY SHOULD ALWAYS PRAY / LUKE 18:1
24. A DEAD BODY … THE VULTURES / LUKE 17:37
25. REMEMBER LOT’S WIFE! / LUKE 17:32
26. ON THAT DAY / LUKE 17:31
27. THE DAYS OF NOAH / LUKE 17:26
28. THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS WITHIN YOU / LUKE 17:20-21
29. THANKED HIM / LUKE 17:16
30. FAITH / LUKE 17:6
31. IF HE REPENTS FORGIVE / LUKE 17:3
32. MILLSTONE TIED AROUND HIS NECK / LUKE 17:2
33. THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS / LUKE 16:19-31
34. COMMITS ADULTERY / LUKE 16:18
35. PHARISEES … LOVED MONEY / LUKE 16:14
36. YOU CANNOT SERVE BOTH GOD AND MONEY / LUKE 16:13
37. IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TRUSTWORTHY / LUKE 16:11
38. WORLDLY WEALTH / LUKE 16:9
39. COMMENDED THE DISHONEST MANAGER / LUKE 16:8
40. BECAME ANGRY / LUKE 15:28
41. THIS SON OF MINE … WAS LOST / LUKE 15:24
42. WHILE HE WAS STILL A LONG WAY OFF – HIS FATHER SAW HIM AND WAS FILLED WITH COMPASSION / LUKE 15:20
43. HE CAME TO HIS SENSES / LUKE 15:17
44. SET OFF FOR A DISTANT COUNTRY / LUKE 15:13
45. SEARCH CAREFULLY UNTIL SHE FINDS / LUKE 15:8
46. REJOICING IN HEAVEN / LUKE 15:7
47. THE LOST SHEEP / LUKE 15:4
48. THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP / LUKE 14:28-33
49. CARRY HIS CROSS / Luke 14:27
50. DOES NOT HATE HIS FATHER / LUKE 14:26-27
51. THE PARABLE OF THE GREAT BANQUET / LUKE 14:15-24
52. EXALTS HIMSELF … HUMBLED / LUKE 14:11
53. SUFFERING FROM DROPSY / LUKE 14:2
54. THE LORD’S GREAT SORROW / LUKE 13:34
55. LAST WILL BE FIRST / LUKE 13:30
56. THE NARROW DOOR / LUKE 13:24
57. THE YEAST / LUKE 13:21
58. MUSTARD SEED / LUKE 13:19
59. THIS WOMAN … SATAN HAS KEPT BOUND / LUKE 13:16
60. CRIPPLED BY A SPIRIT / LUKE 13:10-11
61. FIG TREE CUT IT DOWN / LUKE 13:6-9
62. I HAVE CAME TO CAST FIRE … DIVISION / LUKE 12:49-51
63. BEATEN WITH FEW BLOWS / LUKE 12:47-48
64. MY MASTER IS DELAYED / LUKE 12:45
65. FAITHFUL AND UNFAITHFUL MANAGER – SERVANT / LUKE 12:42-48
66. WHEN YOU DO NOT EXPECT HIM / LUKE 12:40
67. IT WILL BE GOOD FOR THOSE SERVANTS / LUKE 12:38
68. WAITING FOR THEIR MASTER /LUKE 12:36
69. DRESSED READY FOR SERVICE / LUKE 12:35-40
70. YOUR TREASURE … YOUR HEART / LUKE 12:34
71. SELL YOUR POSSESSIONS / LUKE 12:33
72. SEEK HIS KINGDOM / LUKE 12:31
73. HOW MUCH MORE VALUABLE / LUKE 12:24
74. DO NOT WORRY ABOUT YOUR LIFE / LUKE 12:22
75. GUARD AGAINST GREED / LUKE 12:15
76. BLASPHEMES AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT / LUKE 12:10
77. HE WHO DISOWNS ME / LUKE 12:9
78. ACKNOWLEDGES ME BEFORE MEN / LUKE 12:8
79. FEAR HIM / LUKE 12:5
80. HYPOCRISY / LUKE 12:1
81. WOE TO YOU / LUKE 11:42
82. YOUR EYE IS THE LAMP OF YOUR BODY / LUKE 11:34
83. SEVEN OTHER SPIRITS … LIVE THERE / LUKE 11:26
84. WHO IS NOT WITH ME IS AGAINST ME / LUKE 11:23
85. DEMONS … THE KINGDOM OF GOD / LUKE 11:20
86. GIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT TO THOSE WHO ASK / LUKE 11:13
87. GIVE HIM A SNAKE / LUKE 11:11
88. ASK … SEEK … KNOCK / LUKE 11:9
89. OUR DAILY BREAD / LUKE 11:3
90. THE LORD’S PRAYER / LUKE 11:1-4
91. ONE THING IS NEEDED / LUKE 10:41-42
92. THE PARABLE OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN / LUKE 10:30
93. LOVE THE LORD AND LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR / LUKE 10:27
94. THE WISE … LITTLE CHILDREN / LUKE 10:21
95. DO NOT REJOICE / LUKE 10:20
96. SNAKES AND SCORPIONS / LUKE 10:19
97. I SAW SATAN FALL / LUKE 10:18
98. HEAL THE SICK … THE KINGDOM OF GOD / LUKE 10:9
99. LAMBS AMONG WOLVES / LUKE 10:3
100. THE HARVEST IS PLENTIFUL
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102. LET THE DEAD BURY THEIR OWN DEAD / LUKE 9:60
103. REBUKED THEM / LUKE 9:55-56
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105. UNBELIEVING GENERATION / LUKE 9:41
106. THE TRANSFIGURATION / LUKE 9:29
107. SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD / LUKE 9:27
108. ASHAMED OF ME / LUKE 9:26
109. WHOEVER LOSES HIS LIFE / LUKE 9:24
110. TAKE UP HIS CROSS DAILY / LUKE 9:23
111. WARNED THEM NOT TO TELL / LUKE 9:21
112. FEEDING OF THE FIVE THOUSAND / LUKE 9:12-17
113. HEROD THE TETRARCH / LUKE 9:7
114. PREACH THE KINGDOM … HEAL THE SICK / LUKE 9:2
115. AUTHORITY TO DRIVE OUT ALL DEMONS / LUKE 9:1
116. DON’T BE AFRAID JUST BELIEVE / LUKE 8:50
117. TOUCHED HIS CLOAK / LUKE 8:44
118. A DEMON-POSSESSED MAN / LUKE 8:27-33
119. MY MOTHER AND BROTHERS / LUKE 8:21
120. WHOEVER HAS WILL BE GIVEN MORE / LUKE 8:18
121. CHOKED BY LIFE’S WORRIES / LUKE 8:14
122. BELIEVE FOR A WHILE … FALL AWAY / LUKE 8:13
123. TAKES AWAY THE WORD / LUKE 8:12
124. PARABLE OF THE SOWER / LUKE 8:5
125. PARABLE / LUKE 8:4
126. HELPING TO SUPPORT THEM / LUKE 8:3
127. SHE LOVED MUCH / LUKE 7:47
128. WEEPING / LUKE 7:37-38
129. WISDOM IS PROVED RIGHT BY ALL HER CHILDREN / LUKE 7:35
130. GLUTTON AND A DRUNKARD / LUKE 7:34
131. JOHN / LUKE 7:28
132. A REED SWAYED / LUKE 7:24
133. HIS HEART WENT OUT TO HER / LUKE 7:13
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135. DO NOT DO WHAT I SAY / LUKE 6:46
136. HIS HEART / LUKE 6:45
137. GIVE / LUKE 6:38
138. DO NOT JUDGE / LUKE 6:37
139. DO NOT STOP HIM FROM TAKING YOUR TUNIC / LUKE 6:29
140. LOVE YOUR ENEMIES / LUKE 6:27
141. WOE TO YOU WHEN ALL MEN SPEAK WELL / LUKE 6:26
142. WOE TO YOU WHO ARE RICH / LUKE 6:24
143. HOW THEIR FATHERS TREATED THE PROPHETS / LUKE 6:23
144. WHEN MEN HATE YOU / LUKE 6:22
145. YOU WHO WEEP / LUKE 6:21
146. BLESSED YOU WHO ARE POOR / LUKE 6:20
147. SERMON ON THE PLAIN / LUKE 6:17-19
148. SPENT THE NIGHT PRAYING / LUKE 6:12
149. JESUS AND THE SABBATH / LUKE 6:2-10
150. SABBATH / LUKE 6:1
151. ‘THE OLD IS BETTER’ / LUKE 5:39
152. NEW WINE INTO OLD WINESKINS / LUKE 5:37
153. IN THOSE DAYS THEY WILL FAST / LUKE 5:35
154. EAT AND DRINK WITH … ‘SINNERS’ / LUKE 5:30
155. SON OF MAN / LUKE 5:24
156. JESUS KNEW WHAT THEY WERE THINKING / LUKE 5:22
157. CARRYING A PARALYTIC / LUKE 5:18
158. THE POWER OF THE LORD WAS PRESENT / LUKE 5:17
159. PRAYERS OF JESUS / LUKE 5:16
160. YOU WILL CATCH MEN / LUKE 5:9-10
161. HEALED THEM / LUKE 4:40
162. AN EVIL SPIRIT / LUKE 4:33-35
163. HIS MESSAGE HAD AUTHORITY / LUKE 4:32
164. HE HAS ANOINTED ME / LUKE 4:18-19
165. THE SPIRIT ON ME / LUKE 4:18
166. SATAN’S USE OF SCRIPTURE / LUKE 4:10
167. THE DEVIL / LUKE 4:9
168. THE KINGDOMS OF THE WORLD / LUKE 4:5
169. DOES NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE / LUKE 4:4
170. JESUS FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT / LUKE 4:1-2
171. JESUS’ GENEALOGY / LUKE 3:23
172. HOLY SPIRIT DESCENDED ON HIM / LUKE 3:22
173. HE WILL BURN UP THE CHAFF / LUKE 3:17
174. BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / LUKE 3:16
175. FRUIT IN KEEPING WITH REPENTANCE / LUKE 3:8
176. BAPTISM OF REPENTANCE /LUKE 3:3
177. CAESAR … PILATE … HEROD / LUKE 3:1-2
178. JESUS GREW IN WISDOM / LUKE 2:52
179. I HAD TO BE IN MY FATHER’S HOUSE / LUKE 2:49-51
180. THE CHILD GREW / LUKE 2:39-40
181. ANNA … WORHIPED / LUKE 2:36-38
182. A SWORD WILL PIERCE YOUR OWN SOUL / LUKE 2:33-35
183. RIGHTEOUS AND DEVOUT – WAITING FOR THE CONSOLATION / LUKE 2:25-32
184. A PAIR OF DOVES / LUKE 2:24
185. PRESENT HIM TO THE LORD / LUKE 2:22-23
186. THEY SPREAD THE WORD / LUKE 2:17-18
187. A SAVIOR … CHRIST THE LORD / LUKE 2:11
188. THE NATIONS YOUR INHERITANCE / PSALMS 2:8
189. A MANGER / LUKE 2:6-7
190. HOLINESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS / LUKE 1:68-75
191. GOD MY SAVIOR / LUKE 1:46-47
192. AS YOU HAVE SAID / LUKE 1:38
193. THE HOLY ONE / LUKE 1:34-35
194. HIS FATHER DAVID / LUKE 1:32-33
195. YOU WHO ARE HIGHLY FAVORED / LUKE 1:28
196. PLEDGED TO BE MARRIED / LUKE 1:26-27
197. SPIRIT AND POWER OF ELIJAH – THE FATHERS OF THEIR CLILDREN / LUKE 1:17
198. FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT – WINE FERMENTED DRINK / LUKE 1:15
199. UPRIGHT IN THE SIGHT OF GOD / LUKE 1:6
200. DIVISION OF ABIJAH DESCENDANT OF AARON / LUKE 1:5
201. THEOPHILUS / LUKE 1:1-4
202. Crews N Away: Anchored in Grace

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Blessings, Margarita & Stace