Building on the Rock

Day 9: Matthew 7:15-29

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock." - Matthew 7:24 ESV

There is nothing more fortifying than choosing to obey the teachings of Jesus. They are not just quaint sayings to apply when we feel like it. Instead, they are a commitment to the best lifestyle imaginable. It is one that makes life worth living now and prepares us for eternity.

The picture Jesus gives here of "building your house upon the sand" was an ancient shortcut in construction during the first century. Building upon the rock meant digging down deep, beyond the sand, to the bedrock underneath. Sure, building upon the sand is time-efficient and incredibly easier, but it is disastrous in the long term.

Remember what Jesus said in our reading yesterday?

"The gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." - Matthew 7:13

Jesus wants what's best for us. He always wants to help us make decisions today that will benefit us forever.

The next time we see Jesus use this word "rock" (petra in Greek) in Matthew's gospel is in 16:18 when Jesus quizzes the disciples on His identity. The way we can build our homes on the rock is to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

There is no storm in this life or in the final judgment that can send us crashing if our trust/obedience is in Jesus.