Thursday 22^nd November

Matthew 7:24-29

“On Christ this solid rock I’m found, all other ground is sinking sand” (Edward Mote – The Solid Rock)

Sometimes when we look at our circumstances, after feeling sorry for ourselves for a while, we realise that so often we are blessed beyond measure. However, we usually need someone looking in from the outside of our circumstance to remind us of these truths.

In the final teaching of His ‘Sermon on the Mount’, Jesus highlights the significance and importance of all that He has just taught. He encourages the disciples to not only hear what He is saying but to build their lives upon it. Jesus explains this by telling a story of two men, one wise and one foolish. They both build houses but choose different foundations to build upon. The wise chooses a rock and the foolish chooses sand. When the flood, storm and winds come against them, the house that stays standing is the one built by the wise man on the rock.

For many this parable conjures up Sunday school lessons or perhaps Christian cartoons but there is a much deeper meaning to what Jesus is teaching here. What is so important that Jesus concludes His teaching with this story??

If we look in the previous verses, from 21-23, we see Jesus’ strong teaching on fruitless works and how they prevent the ‘doer’ from entering the Kingdom of God. Jesus concludes that teaching with a statement that directly relates to this parable. He says that only those who do the will of the Father can enter Heaven.

In John 8:28 Jesus says that He ‘only does and says what the Father tells Him’. Simply put Jesus’ words is the Father’s will, which is ultimately His teaching to and for us. How does this relate to Jesus’ parable though??

Some commentators have concluded that the storm Jesus refers to in this parable is God’s final judgement on man but it can also be understood as times of trials and hardships. Either way, the main point of Jesus’ teaching here is not so much the storm but rather what the houses are built on. If we dig deep into God’s words (the Father’s will, Jesus’ teaching) and build our foundations on His infallible and timeless truths (the rock) then not matter what comes against we will still stand.

If we are to understand this passage properly, taking into consideration the previous verses, we must understand that it is not only hearing but following what His word says. Both Paul in Ephesians 2 and Peter in his first epistle talk of Jesus being our chief cornerstone. His teaching is not only the basis of the foundation of our house but he is also part of the house. That is a winning combination.

So when circumstances look bleak don’t wait for someone else to highlight what good in your life but rather trust in Jesus’ teaching, the solid rock and cornerstone of our lives that cannot be shaken!!