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Reading through the Gospels 72

Matthew 7:24-27

Matthew 7:24-27 BUILD YOUR HOUSE ON THE ROCK

These are Jesus's ending words at the Sermon on the Mount. "Everyone then who hears these words of mine" would be the words Jesus has spoken in His Sermon on the Mount. Jesus compares two men, a wise one and a foolish one, and gives us some building tips. The wise man builds his house on the rock (or The Rock, Jesus). The foolish man builds his house on the sand. When the rain, wind, and floods (storms of life) come, the house built on the rock does not fall, but the house built on the sand "great was the fall of it." 

 

Both people have heard the Word, both people are in need of security, both people have a house of refuge, and both people have the same difficult experience. The day-to-day life is the same, but it is in the foundation and the ever-lasting where the difference lies. Put into practice what you have heard; be obedient. Obedience leads to blessing and disobedience leads to trouble. Jesus says, "whoever does," so be doers of the Word.  We cannot just buy the materials to build a house; they must be utilized to be effective. Home is the best place to be and I want to be on solid ground.  That firm foundation is only found in doing what we hear Jesus tells us in His Word. 

 

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness.  On Christ the solid rock I stand.  All other ground is sinking sand. When life is falling apart, where is my Hope? Do I hope in the things of this earth that will only disappoint or do I hope in Jesus who will fulfill all my expectations of eternity? Psalm 127:1, "Unless the Lord builds a house, those who build it labor in vain."  Jesus is my superstructure!  Jesus is my durable Rock of Ages! Some houses are built on sand that has been hardened into clay and some houses have been built on non-transformed iron (Jesus never changes).  One house is well-meaning and the other house is trustworthy. I want the unbroken house. Jesus warns us there is a storm coming and gives us a way to prepare.

 

I crave stability.  Sure, sometimes I can be very impromptu and impulsive and spontaneous and those adventures are fun, but at the end of the adventure, I like to have my stability to return home to.  Some people can never stay in one place for a very long time, loving riding the unstable waves and going with the flow.  For me personally, I can go with the flow as long as I have something dependable beneath me. In the same way, I can ride the wave of changes in life much better knowing there is a permanent, steadfast and tough rock underneath the waves.

 

Try building a house with playing cards on a rug and then try building the same house on a hard table.

 

There are some who have appear to have a huge spiritual house, but in the end, like Judas, it all comes tumbling down.  This is when Jesus says, "I never knew you," Matthew 7:21-23.  I'd rather have a small, sturdy spiritual shack than a crumbling mansion.

 

7:28-29 THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS

After the crowds heard Jesus speak the Sermon on the Mount, they were astonished because He taught with authority, unlike the scribes.  Jesus set himself apart from those merely speaking their own opinions.  Jesus made an impression on the people. Someone who speaks with authority has a tone of confidence, experience, conviction, unwavering, unshaking, enforcing obedience, making decisions, and having the right to give orders.