House Upon the Rock

In Matthew 5-7:27 we find Jesus famous Sermon On The Mount. In chapter 5 Jesus begins with ways to blessing, commonly known as the beatitudes. Who doesn’t want a blessed life? Jesus tells us how! The sermon is filled with topics detailing how we should live our life. 

Immediately after the beatitudes Jesus talks about how we should be salt, cause others to thirst for Him and light, shine with Him in a dark world. Jesus touches on many other topics such as murder, adultery, divorce, loving our enemies, giving to the needy, judging others, worry and fasting as well as a few other topics. He goes from one to the other almost as if He is going down a list and we may wonder how they are all connected. Most of us are accustomed to a minister choosing one topic at the time. So, why does Jesus go from topic to topic? I believe the answer can be found in the close of the sermon, the parable of the wise and foolish builders.

Jesus has just given many instructions and says in Matthew 7:24 that whoever hears those words AND puts them into practice that when the storms of life come they will not be moved for they are on solid rock. 1 Peter 2:4-8 tells us Jesus is that solid rock. In John 14:6 Jesus describes Himself as the Way, Truth and Life, therefore the rock in this parable is the Truth He has just explained. Jesus is the Rock and He is Truth, He is the Word (John 1:1). When we build our life on His Truth the storms may come but our house will remain because the Rock is a firm foundation.

However, those who hear Jesus words and don’t put them into practice He says is like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. Sand is bits and pieces of rock. Therefore, when we have bits and pieces of Truth we are on shaky ground at best and when storms come we will crash to the ground. 

Jesus is the True Rock and to the degree we have His truth inside us to that same degree we are on solid ground. He said in John 8:32, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” We can’t just hear the truth, we must get it inside of us and live the truth. Hearing is the first step but as Jesus reminded us in His sermon we must also put that truth into practice.

Let’s all examine our lives, particularly in light of Jesus sermon, and determine whether we are on Rock or sand. Read Matthew 5 and ask the Holy Spirit to show you where you have Rock or sand.