Read
Two Builders
(Luke 6.47-49)
24Anyone who hears and obeys these teachings of mine is like a wise person who built a house on solid rock. 25Rain poured down, rivers flooded, and winds beat against that house. But it was built on solid rock, and so it did not fall.
26Anyone who hears my teachings and doesn't obey them is like a foolish person who built a house on sand. 27Rain poured down, rivers flooded, and the winds blew and beat against that house. Finally, it fell with a crash.
28 When Jesus finished speaking, the crowds were surprised at his teaching. 29He taught them like someone with authority, and not like their teachers of the Law of Moses.
Reflect
Reflections from Jesus at the end of the Sermon on the Mount
. . . It had been a long day. It was time to finish sharing with these wonderful people. They had walked a long way to listen to me, and hear my simple message of what it meant to follow our Father. I had intended my sharing to be for my disciples, yet hundreds, maybe a thousand had overheard. Now it was getting late in the day and it was time to send the people home.
There were all kinds of people—young and old, passionate and zealous, fearful and excited. Some were angry and upset. There were the religious leaders and many simple followers. There were pure-hearted and some with mixed thoughts and feelings.
My heart ached for them.
While praying early this morning I had heard my Father prompting me on what to share, exhort, admonish, encourage, challenge and lead the disciples through. Simple, clear principles to live and follow my Father.
Now it was time to end this series of basic principles about following my Father in everyday life. Oh I love these people, my friends, and want to give them everything that they can understand about living in the Father’s love.
The Spirit had prompted me this morning with a picture of two houses. One on rock, and one on sand. In the times of torrential flooding only one would stand. I know in my heart that everyone of these will face floods of different kinds in their lives.
Which of the two houses will these people choose?
Respond
Lord, help me to choose to build my house on a solid rock, on your firm foundation. Help me not to choose the easy way out.
Wayne Johnson
Wayne’s passion is working with national leaders from around the globe, helping people develop leadership skills, and seeing them grow personally, spiritually and socially. He is President of World Relief Canada.