Building Well

I am not a practical person. Building anything (self-build furniture included) is an issue! If you have a practical problem around the house, please don’t ask me! It is a gift others have but I certainly don’t!

Jesus’ well-known story is so well-known we might often miss the impact of it. In Matthew’s account it comes in the Sermon on the Mount – Luke’s version of some of that teaching is here in chapter 6.

The key to understanding and receiving the message of Jesus’ teaching is actually the question he asks in verse 46:

‘Why do you call me, “Lord, Lord,” and do not do what I say?’

In our early prayer time on-line this Monday morning, we were praying into the theme of hearing God’s voice and recognising Him speaking to us, and responding to what He says! We can read the bible and agree with every word. We can even know what God is saying to us, but actually responding promptly and putting it into practice may be a different matter!

Jesus paints a stark contrast in his short illustration. Both men are building houses. One digs down deep and lays his foundation on rock. The other builds on ground without a foundation (or sand, in Matthew’s version). Both had good intentions of building something worthwhile and good, but their methods and the outcome were very different. One was more interested in what was visible and neglected the foundations; the other ‘dug down deep’ – it took time and effort to get a good foundation on which to build.

For years now, Lizzie and I have watched Channel 4’s Grand Designs. It is astonishing how many times well-meaning self-builders, who seem to have grand and good plans, come unstuck pretty quickly with ground works and foundations and end up spending small fortunes correcting mistakes and oversights that could often have been avoided or at least planned for in contingency. Why do they put themselves through the stress? – It makes interesting viewing but can be disastrous for those involved!

In Jesus’ story the same storm hits both houses – neither is exempt from the storm – a key point. One house stands, the other collapses, and that collapse and destruction was complete. Reading it again preparing this, it seems to have a more powerful punch than when sometimes I read it!

Jesus is saying if you want to live the right way and build the right life, then listen and obey me. I am the only true and sure foundation for life. There is no other, no matter what people may say. Of course, we know that, don’t we?... But do we practice that daily?

We live in a complex society that seeks to plan against any adversity, often with money. Only three and a half years ago we saw how quickly we can be ‘found out’ as a society. Worldly security was seen for the inadequate foundation it is during the pandemic! All of a sudden, our values changed, our lives slowed down, and we were all forced to re-evaluate. Sadly it took a pandemic to get us to do that, and we soon forgot that more positive side of that particular experience afterwards.

Only in trusting in Jesus do we have a sure foundation. Everywhere in His Word we read of how God is our rock. Rock is a firm and solid place to build. Jesus is our Rock. Why? – because He is also ‘the way and the truth and the life.’ He alone has saved us from sin and death. He is the Alpha and Omega – the beginning and end of all things, from creation to eternity. He alone gives hope for the future and eternal life, starting now. He alone brings true purpose and meaning to our present and so short lives.

We also ought to add that Jesus is the only Rock. In other words, all other religious beliefs and lifestyles are false. Only in Jesus do we find Truth. Only in Him do we find Life itself as we were designed to live it.

I was speaking to a Christian accountant at another local church I was visiting and he told me of some of those who he has as clients – people who have literally made millions. Yet having made their fortune, they don’t know what to do with it – they ask him what they should do with it! - His words, not mine. They found that putting their energies into accumulating this world’s treasures was in the end an empty experience without fulfilment or meaning… Not quite what all those adverts say!

So, the lesson is this: Have we learned to recognise His voice? Do we have ears to hear? Do we have hearts to respond? Are we truly standing on firm ground and building our lives on faith in Jesus? - Sometimes, to be honest, we might seem to have one foot on the rock and the other on the sand.

Standing firmly full-square in our lives on Jesus, The Rock, as our foundation, means standing out from the crowd; it means seeing all we have and are as His, and His to use and direct.

Do we truly see our lives like that?