Building on the Rock
by Rachael Stelzer
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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 (Matthew 7:24).
Read Matthew 7:22–27
Today’s parable follows Matthew’s account of Jesus’ teaching about true disciples. He uses a parable about wise and foolish builders to demonstrate his point.
I’ve often read this parable incorrectly. Surely, I say to myself, the wise builder is the one who listens carefully to Jesus’ words, and the foolish one ignores them.
But that’s not how Jesus characterises the two builders. They are both listeners to his words, potentially both believers in the same community, hearing the same teachings and encouragements.
The difference between the wise and the foolish builders? Five little words: ‘… and puts them into practice.’ The wise man hears Jesus’ words and puts them into practice. The foolish man hears Jesus’ words and doesn’t put them into practice.
I’ve heard Jesus’ words. Am I putting them into practice? Or am I sitting in my pew, looking around me smugly at all the people I believe should be acting on what they hear?
To take some steps in love, in prayer, in service and in witness – these are the things that show that my foundations are firm and that I have built on the Rock.
Dear Jesus, your words are life and love. Help me to put them into practice in my own life. Strengthen my foundations and help me build my life on your word. Amen.
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