24. 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. 25. 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. 26. 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. 27. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." 28. When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29. because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
In 1174 the Italian architect Bonnano Pisano began work on a bell tower for a cathedral. The tower was to be eight-stories and 185 feet tall. There was just one "little" problem: builders quickly discovered that the soil was much softer than they had anticipated, and the foundation was far too shallow to adequately hold the structure! Sure enough, before long the whole structure had begun to tilt... and it continued to tilt... until finally the architect and the builders realized that nothing could be done to make the Leaning Tower of Pisa straight again. It took 176 years to build the Tower of Pisa and during that time many things were done to try and compensate for the "tilt”: the foundation was shored up; the upper levels were even built at an angle to try to make the top of the tower look straight. Nothing worked. The tower has stood for over 800 years, but it leans 18 feet away from where it should be. One day, experts say, it will fall and all because it wasn’t built on the right foundation.
Jesus gives us an illustration of a wise man and foolish man. The conclusion all related to the foundation upon which they build their houses. Jesus knew houses. He was a carpenter. No doubt he had seen storms cause houses to fall due to their poor foundation.
As is common, he takes an earthly story and brings out a heavenly meaning, which is how one person defined a parable. Jesus laid down instructions on kingdom living. It is impossible to live up to, but with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we can see better the heart of God and the attitudes within that Jesus demonstrated in living to the glory of His Father who is in heaven.
Application: Here comes the conclusion of Jesus’ sermon. Are you going to hear only or are you going to do something about what you’ve listened to? Those who listen politely are contrasted with those who decide to go with God completely. There is a cost and there are alternatives. Which shall it be for you?
Prayer: The church's one foundation Is Jesus Christ, her Lord. She is His new creation By water and the Word....Give us grace that we, Like them, the meek and lowly, On high may dwell with Thee.
