Rock and Sand

MHA: It is no coincidence that the parable of the house on the rock and the house one the sand stands at the very end of the Sermon on the Mount. …this parable summarizes the entire Sermon on the Mount.

Studies in the Sermon on the Mount, by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Jesus Christ: His Life and Teaching, Vol.2 - The Sermon on the Mount, Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev

Matthew 7: 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Jesus presents us here with two men, men with similarities and yet with differences.  They both had the same desire, to build a house; both houses were subject to the same stresses, indicating a similar location and facing similar conditions.

DMLJ: Looked at externally and on the surface there was no difference.

The only meaningful difference was below the surface: the condition of the land upon which the house was built.  In the Sermon on the Plain, found in Luke, the same parable is told with one additional detail being the mention of the foundation – again, not a visible difference.

So, on the surface, these two men had much in common; one could not tell much difference in them based on outward appearance and action.  But the whole point of the parable is to point out the difference.

DMLJ: We cling to the notion that the difference between the true Christian and the pseudo-Christian is obvious.

We would like it to be so simple, if for no other reason than our own situation.  I act like a Christian; in all appearances I can be described as such.  But, once again, where is the heart?  What is the condition of the ground on which my Christianity is built?  What is the foundation?  These are the questions to be answered.

What can be said of the foolish man?  Certainly, he is in a hurry: he spent no time checking the condition of the ground under his home; in Luke, he did not build a foundation.  Shortcuts and quick results, superficial appearance over meaningful change.  He doesn’t listen to instruction; he “knows” what to do, and doesn’t respect being taught.  He already knows it all. 

The wise man presents the opposite picture: he asks, he plans, he studies.  He consults experts, he follows instruction.  And, first and foremost, he understands that it is the foundation – and the condition of the earth under the structure – that will make the difference regarding the sturdiness of the house.

So, what is the analogy?  Why this parable?  We will find both men attending church regularly; they listen to the same sermons, hear the same gospel.  They appear to have the same general desires – forgiveness, peace, comfort, consolation; they both want a good life.  Ultimately, they both hope for heaven.  These are significant similarities. 

DMLJ: …our Lord’s chief concern in this picture is to warn us against the danger of seeking and desiring only the benefits and blessings of salvation, and resting upon our apparent possession of them.

Yet, it is in the differences that we see the issue: the foolish man picks and chooses what he likes from the Scriptures; he values the love of God but runs from the idea of God’s justice.  He doesn’t want to be made to feel too uncomfortable with the teaching. 

DMLJ: One of the best tests is this.  Do you resent this Sermon on the Mount?  Do you dislike it?  Do you feel it is making things impossible for you?

Having heard the teaching, does he just forget about it, or praise it but not put it into practice? 

The wise man puts the teaching into practice – the whole teaching, and not just the parts that come easy.  He knows that this will be difficult, even painful at times, but he knows it is good for him.  If he receives criticism for his approach, he takes it as constructive. 

DMLJ: Would you like to live the Sermon on the Mount?  Is that your true desire?  Is that your ambition?

He remembers all the teachings of the Sermon and desires to live it – from the Beatitudes to the admonitions to the cautions.  He desires and prays for holiness – he strives after it.

Conclusion

Now, the rains, floods, and wind come.  Both men are subject to tests, and the tests are certain to come.  Everything we do, everything we build, our whole view of life, will be tested in this world.  How will we stand up to these things?  Which man – which house – is better able to stand when facing these tests? 

DMLJ: Here are the questions we must ask ourselves.  Do we always find God when we need Him most of all?  When these tests come and we turn to Him, do we know He is there?  Have we a deep unshakeable confidence in Him, and an assurance that He will never leave us or forsake us?  Are we able to rejoice in Him at all times, even in tribulation?

Great questions, and ones that I would have trouble answering affirmatively…. But the path is given to us right here in this Sermon on the Mount.  It is the entire Sermon that brings us to this point: living this Sermon is building on a rock; avoiding this Sermon is building on sand. 

Jesus has told us the consequences of each.

MHA: …two alternatives [are placed] before the listener: to obey the admonitions in these texts and thereby receive a blessing, or to not obey them and thereby receive a curse.