Build Your House On The Rock
Matthew 7:21-27
“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. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 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. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” (Matthew 7:24-27)
In this familiar illustration, Jesus contrasts two types of people with two very different destinies.
Notice the key difference in the two types of people. One builds on a solid foundation – “on the rock” – while the other builds on a foundation of sand. Jesus explains the key difference, the wise builder who builds his house on the rock is one who “hears these words of mine and puts them into practice” while the foolish builder is one “hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice”. Both hear the words. But only the wise put Jesus’ words into practice.
Don’t fool yourself by thinking that simply knowing about Jesus and knowing about the Bible is sufficient. Build your house on the Rock of truly knowing Jesus by putting His Words into practice in your life every day. As James 1:22 tells us plainly, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
The interpretation of this passage often focuses on “weathering the storms of life”. While I agree that is an appropriate application, I think there is also something much deeper being communicated here. Note that verse 24 begins with “Therefore”. In the preceding verses, Jesus provides a clear warning to those who build their life on anything other than a true, living, obedient relationship with Jesus.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:21-23)
