This verse describes the central position of Jesus Christ in God’s church, His kingdom. It is repeated in Matthew 21:42, Mark 12:10, Luke 20:17 and Acts 4:11 - as well as by Peter here.  But it first appears in Isaiah 28:16-17, where God's Messiah (Jesus) is predicted as being the point from which God's kingdom arises, and from where justice and righteousness is measured. Jesus is the judge of all people. All those who reject Him, will be rejected by Him when He returns (Matthew 7:21-23): but all those who trust in Him will be accepted by Him on that great day, and therefore will not be put to shame (Romans 10:11).

Jesus is the foundation stone. Everything that is built on Him will last for ever, and everything else will collapse (Matthew 7:24-29; 1 Corinthians 3:10-13). It is God who has planned it that way. He laid Jesus as the foundation stone of the church, the focus point of the Old Testament prophets and New Testament apostles.  There is no other way for people to worship God acceptably, except through Jesus (1 Peter 2:5). Although the world suggests that there are many ways to worship God, Jesus Himself said that no one can come to Father God except through Him (John 14:6). That is because only Jesus can release people from the shame of their guilty past (there is more explanation at www.crosscheck.org.uk).

Trusting in Jesus is not primarily an emotional experience.  Saving-faith is a response to hearing the gospel message (Romans 10:17), believing it, trusting that the sacrifice of Jesus is sufficient to take away sin, repenting and receiving Jesus into the home of our heart (Revelation 3:19-20). Trusting in Him means pleasing Him by obeying what He says, and loving God’s children (1 Peter 1:22).  Trusting Jesus may bring eternal persecution, but the trusting soul will never suffer from decision-remorse.  We know now that we are safe in Jesus, and the Holy Spirit assures us that we will not be ashamed in Christ’s presence when He returns (2 Timothy 1:12).

So, however much others may abuse Christians for their faith, God is not ashamed of us (Romans 8:1). That fact alone should give us a new confidence as we go to work, or labour at home. As we build our lives on the Lord Jesus Christ as our foundation, our life is secure for all eternity and there is no reason to be downcast. Although our faith may be tested in our workplace, it will be greatly rewarded in heaven. If we will be thrilled and unashamed in the presence of Jesus, when we can see Him, why should we not be confident in His presence now? Even though we cannot see Him, He sees us and is not ashamed to call us His brothers (Hebrews 2:11).