Predictions are predictable. What’s predictable about predictions is that some predictions are wrong, others may be correct, and others still are unpredictable. We have a Presidential election in one month. Many folks are making predictions that this one is going to win, or that one is going to win. You can choose who this and that are. One side’s prediction will prove wrong, while the other prediction, which is no more than a guess, will prove correct. One group will smile, laugh, say “I told you so,” and pat themselves on the back like a politician. While the incorrect side will keep every ambulance in Central Massachusetts busy the day a victor is known. Off to the hospital they’ll go to treat a broken, angry heart. That’s my prediction. Jesus makes a couple predictions in today’s Gospel. His first prediction concerns himself, and how the stone will be rejected, and, after three days in the darkness and silence of Joseph’s tomb, become the Cornerstone. The Cornerstone of life eternal that will never be reversed. While we live in a time in history when religion is a four-letter word for a good percentage of the universe, I predict that many of the lost souls will return to the Cornerstone of their lives, the only One who offers salvation. Jesus’ prediction of being rejected to the point of death, on the face of it, spells trouble for him and his followers. It’s a stark prediction that admits to our world having a certain degree of momentary power over him, the Son of God. He predicts, “Okay, you’re going to kill me for telling you the truth of heaven, and how I teach the things of heaven so that you may know some peace, reject all violence, from looting to abortion, the worse violence of all.” Then he further tells his hearers, “I know you’re going to reject my message, toss it aside like a bad apple, and move ahead with crucifixion. The Stone will be killed.” And so it came to pass. His prediction was spot on. But the greatness of Jesus’ prediction doesn’t end on Golgotha. The stone becomes the Cornerstone. He becomes our Cornerstone through his resurrection. And the truth of this prediction by the Lord; we own it. So, what comes from this prediction is the question, “Are you ready to see them again? Where death is no more; where cancer is eternally absent; where peace is fully known; where forgiveness is never needed, that hardest of virtues gone forever; where joy is complete. Are you prepared to see them?” That’s the prediction of the Cornerstone, and the Cornerstone is Christ Jesus. His second prediction is the prediction of the kingdom being taken away from those who, not only reject the stone, but the Cornerstone. This is a prediction with hard results. The prevailing thought nowadays is that everyone is going off to heaven when we die. I’m pretty confident in saying that’s not going to happen. The Scriptures tell us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. There’s way too much in Scripture that says this “direct ticket to heaven for everyone” is a bad prediction on our part. Everyone flying off to heaven after our last breath on earth dismisses the harsh reality of sin. These are fearful words our Lord speaks today; “The kingdom of heaven will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.” Not the fruit of an angry world. That’s the rotten fruit from the Garden of Eden. We live and share the fruits of heaven in the midst of a twisted and perverted generation. Paul provides the list of fruits, and a beautiful list it is. Whatever is true; truth grounded in our Christian faith. Whatever is honorable, just, pure, lovely, gracious, any excellence, anything worthy of praise. With each of these virtues that Paul writes to the Philippians, we instinctively know and understand how each of these virtues connect to Christ, and not twisting them into a false representation of God. Every holy list should remain holy, untainted by human predictions. Our Lord’s predictions today give us two understandings of our faith; that he is the stone rejected, moving three days ahead to become the Cornerstone of eternal life. He promises that the everlasting part of our human condition will be one of complete joy. And second, that a straight ticket to heaven is no guarantee for every person in the history of the world. God is the Judge who will make the final call. But he makes it clear that Paul’s list of good fruit is a requirement to be included in his eternal kingdom.