The parable of the wise and foolish builders teaches us the importance of building firm foundations in life. Matthew 7:24-29
A common saying, most people have heard is; ‘Actions speak louder than words’.
Jesus tells the crowds at the end of his magnificent Sermon on the Mount, a parable about building houses.
It is a well-known Sunday School lesson. Two men build a house, one on the rocks and one on the sand.
Jesus said everyone who hears his teachings and weaves them into their lives will be like the man who built his house on the rock. Because when the rain, wind and floods came, the house remained firm on its sturdy foundation.
But those who hear his teachings, but do not weave them into their daily lives, will be like the man who built his house on the sand. Then when the rain, wind and floods came, the house was blown down and washed away because the foundations were not firm.
This parable is- quite easy to explain.
The things that Jesus taught, such as love God, forgive others, turn the other cheek, and go the extra mile, all go to build up a life of good values. So when misfortune finds us, as it invariably does, we have built our lives on strong, firm and holy virtues which will allow us to weather the storms of life.
If we have built our lives on sand, meaning doing things our way rather than Jesus’ way, then when misfortune comes we will not have a firm foundation to weather the storm with.
Today we need to consistently put into practice the things we learn about Jesus, we might not be perfect in our achievements, but Jesus asks us ‘If you love me, keep my commands” John 14:15
So we must try and do our best and God will know our true hearts.
The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders – Matthew 7:24-29
24 ‘Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.
The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock.
26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand.
27 The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!’
28 Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching,
29 for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
