MATTHEW 7:24-29
“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.
The disadvantages encountered in listening to Jesus
Listening isn’t as easy as it sounds. And it’s even harder listening to Jesus.
True listening requires full engagement with the person speaking. Just ask Wendy when she has to repeat herself. Even more, true listening involves understanding. I’m pretty good about listening to my wife, but I’m not nearly as good at “getting it”. Especially when it’s an emotionally charged discussion, I have to dialog with her in order to understand. Of course, this is true of any deeper conversation. Getting an idea from one person’s head (‘encoding’ for you communication-niks) and into another person’s head (‘decoding’) demands much time and energy.
I don’t want to invest that much time and energy in most conversations. That’s why most conversations are casual and surface. They’re easier.
But Jesus has some pretty serious things to say to me! And he’s not here for dialog. He’s not physically around so I can include his nonverbal cues (even more important than the words!) in my attempt to understand him. Worse, in a sense, he’s not even doing the talking.
Jesus’ Spirit inspired Matthew to faithfully record his words. But it’s Matthew’s recording! It’s as if Wendy told her best friend to tell me… For weeks now, I’ve been listening to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount through Matthew’s voice.
No wonder I, and probably most Gospel readers, usually only understand the surface of Jesus’ teaching - if that. Truth is, grabbing the surface and assuming I’ve got it probably hides and distorts what he’s really trying to say.
In order to truly “get it” –without Jesus actually sitting with me – requires time and energy studying, listening to insights others have had through the centuries as they’ve listened, investing time among other Christians in shared worship, learning, and living.
Most of all, “getting it” requires developing a daily sensitivity to the Spirit. He’s the one who counsels Christians in matters of Jesus’ teaching. What he hears Jesus say, he makes real to me (that’s pretty neat since the Spirit and Jesus are one!). But if I’m to hear his voice as I study, gather insights from others who have listened, and live in Christian community, I must develop a close heart and mind connection.
Father, forgive me when I rush through life without taking time to open my heart and mind to your Spirit. I have made recent decisions to open new doors of opportunity to spend intentional and focused time in your presence. Grant me the strength and self discipline to follow through. - Mike Leamon
Building codes
If you were building a beach house today, the code enforcement officer would require that you dig down to the rock and not build on the sand. You are not allowed to build a house on sand today. The Government makes sure you have a good foundation or you cannot build.
If you have ever tried building something, the code enforcer means more money. Their intention is good; protect you and your family, but their method of doing so is for you to spend more money on construction that passes inspection.
At times I wish God was more like a code enforcement officer, mandating my actions and making decisions for me, but then I realize God’s plan is much better. The freedom to build where I want and how I want helps me appreciate the better way. Since I am not forced to build a certain way, when I see a life that follows the best plan, I appreciate and give thanks for the revelation of the better way.
Buildings built right last. Lives directed by God’s word survive. I am thankful God has given us the best plan for living, and I am also thankful He does not force us to follow this plan. In this way, the plan, and the follower bring glory to God instead of grumbling and complaining about forced conformity to a non-personal standard.
Jesus, thank you for giving me the freedom to follow your advice or reject it. I acknowledge your words are the best plan for living and I choose today to live in obedience to them. Help me to understand your Word perfectly and to have the strength to follow your plan for living at all times. - Dan Jones
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