Hearing and Building

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Scripture: Matthew 7:24-29 (ESV)

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

 

Meditation:

Yesterday we looked at the words that immediately preceded the Sermon on the Mount. Today we are going to look at the words at the end of the Sermon. These words provide an insight into who Jesus was and what he was about while here on earth. Many people focus mainly upon Jesus’ miracles. But his teaching was just as powerful and deserving of attention. In the final two verses here even the people recognize that a new kind of teacher has come to them in the person of Jesus.

            What I found interesting as I reread this particular passage was that there were two persons building. Indeed ever person builds their lives on something. Jesus gives us a choice, we can either build on the rock which is his teaching, or on something less substantial. But either way a life will be built!

            When we build on Jesus teaching we build on the rock. We build on the knowledge and wisdom of God which no storm can crack or crush. The house on the Rock will stand no matter the weather or wind.

            When we build our lives on sand our lives are doomed from the start. The wind and waves of life will overcome us and great will be our fall.

            So Jesus gives us a pattern for our lives. He has the authority to teach this way and if we are wise we will acknowledge that authority and build our lives accordingly. Just remember you will build on something. The question is what will it be?

 

Prayer:

Holy God, Rock of our salvation, help us to build our lives on you. Teach us to ignore the world’s wisdom and ways when we build our lives. Help us cling to the rock which is Jesus Christ himself. He alone has the authority to rule our lives. Teach us to live under that authority. Amen

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