Matthew 7
December 1, 2022
“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. 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. 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. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.” (v24-29)
Whereas the teachers of the law quoted other rabbis to support their teaching, Jesus called people to listen to Him on the basis of His own words (“words of mine”, v24, 26). And to reinforce the authority of His own words, Jesus declared that those who refuse to heed His words will not survive the storms of life. It was an audacious claim to make - to say that listening to Him is the litmus test for surviving the storms of life - unless Jesus really is the Lord, who knows that His words are what we need for life.
Jesus, I praise You for being the all-wise, all-knowing Lord of life. Your ways are higher than mine. Your thoughts are higher than mine. And yet I confess that I still sometimes try to face the storms and challenges of life in my own wisdom and with my own plans. Forgive me for my spirit of self-sufficiency. Remind me that You (and Your Word) are the Rock upon which to build my life. Even in these days that are marked by storms and a “beating against my house” (v27), You are showing Yourself to be faithful as I stand upon you, the Rock. I might be taking a beating, but You won’t let me fall!
— Pastor Joshua Brooks
Use the following steps to guide your daily time with the Lord…
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Start with prayer. Ask God to open your heart to help you understand and receive His Word.
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Read and observe the passage carefully. As needed, read a second Bible version to help with understanding.
➡️ What does it say?
What does this passage teach me about God? What does it say about my sinful nature and my need for God’s grace? How does this passage point to Jesus?
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➡️ What am I going to do about it?
Does this passage include a promise to claim, an action/attitude to avoid/embrace, or a principle to apply? How can this truth apply to my life? What could my next step be? How can I share this with others? Is there a verse or section of Scripture I need to memorize?
