I shared in my prior blog plans to bring a series of sermons on the Sermon on the Mount, which contain the core of the teachings of Jesus, and which are essential for us to follow and understand if we are to fulfill His calling on our lives in the 21st century. In the course of the sermon series, I did not cover Matthew 7:24-27, which contains the story of “The Wise and Foolish Builders.”
Let me share that text from Matthew 7:24-27: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against his house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” (NIV()
This scripture text certainly contains some very important truths for us to seek to follow in this period as we emerge from the pandemic and begin to experience the so-called “new normal.” We understand the importance of a house, and other structures, having a solid foundation. That is why core drillings are often done prior to the construction of a large building – i.e., to determine the depth of the solid rock and what type of foundation support is needed in the subterranean area. As an aside, we have seen the potential danger of a shifting foundation base with the tragic collapse of the 12-story condominium building in Miami, Florida, which may have been due in part to changing underground conditions with shifting sands, erosion due to saltwater from the ocean tides, and softened rock structures coupled with deteriorated structural conditions. The point is that a house, or other building structures, that are not built upon a solid foundation are subject to deterioration and collapse over time. Perhaps Jesus’s background as a carpenter, coupled with his followers’ familiarity with such basic concepts, was the basis for his use of such understandable images in his teaching.
What is the application of this in our own spiritual life and Christian walk? The application is very simple. What is the foundation of our life? Have we built our life upon things of the world – the shifting sands of the world, the temporal and passing experiences of society, the disappointment that other people will inevitably bring our way? Certainly, if we build our spiritual houses upon “sand” – the rain will come down, the streams will rise, the winds will blow and beat against that structure – and our house – our life – it will fall “with a great crash.”
In contrast, if our life is built upon the solid rock of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, then it will stand and survive when the rain beats down, when the winds blow hard, when the floods surround us – we will stand firm and survive because we have Jesus Christ at the root of our daily living.
The words of the hymn “The Solid Rock” speak to this truth. Let me share the words of the first verse and chorus: “My hope is built on nothing less, Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand.
As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic and enter into a so-called “new normal” and deal with all that lies ahead, I pray that your life is built upon “The Solid Rock” of Jesus Christ!