Matthew 7:24-8:4
24 “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.”
28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
1 When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. 2 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”
3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. 4 Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” [1]
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What always strikes me about the familiar account of the wise and foolish builders Jesus’ call to put into practice His teaching. Obviously in the context of Matthew’s Gospel, we are to have in view the previous three chapters, the Sermon on the Mount. Admittedly there are some very tough teachings in these chapters, instructions from the Lord that glaringly go against our cultural expectations and the inclinations of our hearts. And yet He says that such a life, the life He described, is a life built on a rock.
For instance, the words about turning the other cheek and loving the enemy are very difficult. We may fear that taking this route will make us look weak, and that others will take advantage of our kindness. But Jesus says that such a life is the most solid life, a dwelling that will be secure in any storm, a house built on a rock.
I mentioned Sunday my project of memorizing the Sermon on the Mount. I value the memorization of Scripture and have found that this practice has blessed me more times that I can begin to count. But the memorization of Scripture in general, and the Sermon on the Mount in particular is not an end in itself. Jesus’ words are not merely to be read, learned, studied, memorized, sung, illustrated, or discussed. They are to be lived. They are to be put into practice.
The faith, trust, kindness, generosity and love that Jesus has just described in this sermon are never really “learned” until they become part of our lives. For when that happens, we are taken up into His grand project of making us more and more like Him, reshaping us from the inside out into His image.
Jesus, grant me your Spirit today, that I may faithfully put into practice your words. Shape my heart and my life to be more and more like You.
What is the Word leading you to pray about today?
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[1] The New International Version. (2011). (Mt 7:24–8:4). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
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