|
||
JESUS TOUR QUESTIONS ARTICLES SERMONS SUBSCRIPTIONS ABOUT | ||
Dealing With Change (Part Two)In Luke 6:46-49, Jesus begins a passage, asking, "But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?" He finishes His thought with the metaphor of a man building a house, comparing how the structure fared in a flood when built on sand as opposed to a rock. The lesson is clear: Those who call Christ "Lord, Lord" yet fail to do what He says face spiritual ruin when disaster strikes, while those who truly believe and do what He says have founded their lives on rock, able to weather the storm. Doing the latter is acting on faith. The metaphor changes slightly in Proverbs 10:25, but the sentiment is the same: "When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, but the righteous has an everlasting foundation." Verse 30 is similar: "The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not inhabit the earth." Righteousness is defined by what one does, not merely by what one has heard. An identical thought is found in James' epistle:
This aspect of obedience to Christ's sayings is emphasized even more in Matthew's version of the parable:
In this parable, as in Luke 6, the wise and foolish builders are contrasted, and the primary difference between them is in their respective preparations and their forethought—or lack thereof. The wise builder "dug deep" (Luke 6:48) and laid his foundation on the rock. He looked ahead and recognized the forces of nature, knowing that the works of his own hands were insufficient to withstand everything that might come his way. He not only had a long-term view, but he also understood the law of cause and effect. Foreseeing potential trouble, he could then determine the best way to mitigate those risks. The foolish builder, though, was at the mercy of his desire for instant gratification and to the whims of the moment. He wanted things done now, regardless of what happened in the next six months or six years. He foolishly chose earth or sand as his foundation, substances that do not require as much effort or time to work. Soil has an appearance of stability, but as we know, appearances are deceiving. Many people will take extreme measures to project the right appearance of something, putting out a great deal of effort to build the right façade. Yet, the events of life, the changes in our circumstances, strip us down to the core and expose what our lives are really based on, regardless of appearances. Using Jesus' metaphor, the flood reveals whether we have been shortsighted or have evaluated things from the eternal perspective, making sure we were anchored to the one thing that would see us through the catastrophes of life. Jesus says that the wise builder "dug deep," a detail that is especially fitting considering the parable's context. Remember, He is speaking about hearing His sayings and doing them. But consider what His sayings entail. They encompass far more than just the Beatitudes and the rest of the Sermon on the Mount. Certainly, His sayings are throughout the gospels. Yet, remember who is saying this: Jesus Christ is the Creator, the God of the Old Testament. The record of His sayings to mankind begins all the way back in Eden! Genesis records His sayings to Abraham and the other patriarchs. Moses and others of the prophets wrote many other books containing His sayings to the nation of Israel. His sayings appear in all the inspired writings of His servants throughout time. In sum, the Bible is a complete book of His sayings, but unless we actually dig into them—and dig deep like the wise builder—and believe them enough to put them into practice, we will not have the means to withstand the force of the coming flood. In Part Three, we will continue to examine why the builder who founded his house on the rock could endure the storms that life hurls at us. David C. Grabbe |
||
© Copyright 1992-2024 Church of the Great God. Contact Us. |
You Will See This Only Once | ||
The Bereans "received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so" (Acts 17:10-11). This daily newsletter provides a starting point for personal study, and gives valuable insight into the verses that make up the Word of God. |
||
We respect your privacy. Your email address will not be sold, distributed, rented, or in any way given out to a third party. We have nothing to sell. You may easily unsubscribe at any time. |