Matthew 21:42 says, Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?  Jesus is still speaking to the chief priests and elders when He asks if they had never read the scriptures.  As always, when we proclaim anything to be the will of God, we better be able to base our proclamation on the word of God.  Jesus asked if the had never heard of the stone which the builders rejected that became the chief cornerstone.  This was a prophecy about the coming Messiah, Who was, is and always will be Jesus Christ.  Unfortunately, the chief priests and elders did not recognize Jesus.  Verse forty-three says, Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.  Jesus became pretty direct in His statement to the chief priests and elders.  Because of their rejection of Jesus as the cornerstone, the Messiah, the kingdom of God would be taken from them and given to others, the Gentiles.  We are expected, as was the nation of Israel, to bear fruit for Christ.  We are not given this task because of our own worthiness, but because of our acceptance of Jesus as our Savior and Lord, the cornerstone of our faith.  Verse forty-four says, And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.  Jesus was still speaking about Himself.  For some, Jesus is a stumbling block, and they refuse to believe in Him.  Some actively oppose the the gospel, and will one day have the gospel grind them down.  Those who do not accept Jesus as Savior will ultimately suffer His judgment.  Verse forty-five states, And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.  Though they didn't accept what Jesus was saying, the chief priests and Pharisees were smart enough to realize that Jesus was talking
about them.  When we realise that the gospel is personal, we can either accept or reject it.  The chief priests and Pharisees chose to reject it.  Verse forty-six says, But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.  The chief priests and Pharisees wanted to seize Jesus, but they feared the multitudes, who saw Jesus as a prophet.  Even through the multitudes did not see Jesus for Who He really is, the fact that they accepted Him as a prophet kept the chief priests and Pharisees from seizing Him.  Sometimes, God works through those who do not fully understand Who Jesus is to accomplish His will.  Still, until they fully understand and accept Jesus as Savior and Lord, they are still lost.  To be saved we must acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God and the Savior of all who put their faith in Him.  Nothing less will do.