I have lived in four houses as an adult. Bobby and I built the middle two. And we LOVE building a home together! For us, the planning and then seeing our plans take shape is thrilling! Jesus talked about building houses too! No wonder, while He was here on earth he was a builder.
I love the idea that Jesus was an earthly builder! The Bible says He was a carpenter (Mark 6:2-3).
The word “carpenter” is really the word tekton in Greek which carries the idea of being a builder or a craftsman using any type of material.
We think of Jesus using wood primarily because of our Western thinking.
If you have been to Israel there were far more rocks and boulders than wood!
I studied the book of Mark this summer and I came across a couple beautiful verses as I was cross-referencing a passage…
“WHY DO YOU CALL ME ‘LORD, LORD,’ AND NOT DO WHAT I TELL YOU? EVERYONE WHO COME TO ME AND HEARS MY WORDS AND DOES THEM, I WILL SHOW YOU WHAT HE IS LIKE:
HE IS LIKE A MAN BUILDING A HOUSE, WHO DUG DEEP AND LAID THE FOUNDATION ON A ROCK. AND WHEN A FLOOD AROSE, THE STREAM BROKE AGAINST THE HOUSE AND COULD NOT SHAKE IT, BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN WELL BUILT.
BUT THE ONE HOW HEARS AND DOES NOT DO THEM IS LIKE A MAN WHO BUILT A HOUSE ON THE GROUND WITHOUT A FOUNDATION. WHEN THE STREAM BROKE AGAINST IT, IMMEDIATELY IT FELL AND THE RUIN OF THE HOUSE WAS GREAT.” Luke 6:46-49
Jesus used what was around Him to help the people of ancient Israel understand what He was saying.
I love the thought of Him using the rocks and boulders that are so commonplace in this holy land. And even though Jesus was Emmanuel, God in the flesh, He most probably knew from earthly experience what He was talking about!
I wonder how many solid foundations He had built?
These verses make up a parable.
Parables taught by Jesus are earthy stories with deep spiritual meaning.
In this parable, Jesus compares Himself to a ROCK!
We can see so many examples throughout the whole Bible that talks about Jesus as a rock! Why a rock? Because the ancients understood the lessons from the landscape around them.
Rocks are solid and unshakable and immobile.
Jesus is the same. The same yesterday, today and will be tomorrow! In a world where everything changes, Jesus does not!
He is the one true and steadfast thing and the only thing worth building our lives upon.
Jesus says,
“WHY DO YOU CALL ME ‘LORD, LORD,’ AND NOT DO WHAT I TELL YOU?”
The word for Lord is kurios. It means master or owner. It’s the idea of someone having complete authority and absolute ownership rights.
Jesus’ disciples recognized Him as the Messiah. They called Him Lord. But Jesus asks them if they believe that He was Lord why they didn’t obey Him?
Jesus then describes the unshaken, sure life of a true believer!
He said…
EVERYONE WHO COME TO ME AND HEARS MY WORDS AND DOES THEM, I WILL SHOW YOU WHAT HE IS LIKE
Jesus gives His disciples three things they need to do to have a life and belief that is unshakable…
Come, hear and do!
How can we “do” or obey God if we do not hear Him? And how can we hear Him if we do not come to Him willing to get to know Him?
When my children were little I would say, “how can you serve a God you do not know”. Knowing God became an important daily discipline in their lives!
To come to Jesus is to know Him. And how can you know Him if you don’t spend time with Him.
We need to “COME TO JESUS” daily. We need to be studying His word and understanding it!
What does it mean to hear Jesus’ word? It has a far deeper and richer meaning than the word hear in English.
Hear carries the idea of not only taking in information but understanding it also being obedient to it.
The word hear is actually a doing word!
Another way to think about this parable is to abide and obey.
To abide is to have a deep and intimate relationship with someone and be quick to do what they say. So obedience follows abiding!
Obedience is the only right reply if we know Jesus and hear His word! Obedience comes out of knowing and understanding
As believers we have two clear choices.
We can live our lives with unshaken belief or we can be worried and anxious and uncertain.
It’s all about your foundation, my friend!
You are building your house every day! Where have you decided to build it?
Some Words from one of my favorite songs
I’m standing on the rock of ages (standing on the rock, on the rock of ages)
Safe from all the storm that rages (safe from every storm, all the storm that rages)
I’m rich but not from Satan’s wages (rich in love, I’m rich, not from Satan’s wages)
I’m standing on the solid rock!!!
This is a good subject for me today….I often ask myself and God if I’m suppose to have a nice house with nice interior??? Or do I sell everything and live simple for God??? I say I try to live for God and Jesus but do I with what I have?? Can you do a post about this? Love your Sunday blog!
I think it is more about listening to God and obeying what He tells you. He wants our whole heart and the rest of everything else will fall into place.
I enjoy your blog post every day, but especially on Sunday!!! Thank you for using your blog to tell everyone about our Lord and Savior. You are a breath of fresh air and bring Good News to a hurting world. Please keep posting from your heart and your beliefs!!
Thanks, Joan!
Sadly, I’m on very shaky ground.
Oh, Margo! Then turn right to Jesus my friend!
My real home is not built with human hands. 🙂 Amen.
I love that you lift up the Lord in your blogs. It is so refreshing to see and read the Word on blogs that show and teach how to make our homes gracious and inviting. The Lord Jesus Christ gave you the resources and the talent and you are giving the glory back to Him!
I was not sure if I should comment or not, but more and more I was moved to do just that. You see so many of us know and understand the importance of building our life on a solid foundation, so that the devil will not be able to destroy our relationship with God when tested. All to often, because of the Devil, we don’t see what the devil is doing. Because our eyes are closed/blinded to the truth. The devil don’t want us to see the truth. We can’t see, nor feel what the devil is doing, or what he is saying he’s saying. Why? Because he sometimes uses the most powerful, and make them appear untouchable! To keep people trusting, blinded, and filled with hatred. Allowing his powerful followers to do and say things that might be deeply rooted inside of us. We continue supporting his evil ways/actions. This is because today, to many put to much trust in man, and not enough in God. Jesus said, the devil will blind our mind and heart to the truth. There are so many people even to this day, are supporting hatred and evil. We say we love God, and are Christians, yet we support the wrong doing of the most highest person in this country. This is why Jesus said, “ My Father is not of this world. To give God things you God, and Cesar things to Cesar. “. This is why he said, “ though we are in this world, but not to be a part of it.” I see so many people I thought was christians, but appears to love and appreciate wrong doing. Love hatred. Are deeply involved in bad/sick things of this world, and have very little love for what is good and tight. Seems to love peace breakers. So, I truly wonder, how many have moved out of the homes that was built on solid foundations, and now living in a house built on sand? Heaven help us all!!!
I know I just might upset lot of people, sorry if that happens. Not my intentions.
I loved your Blog today….it reminded me of an old Hymn that I loved…..”Trust and Obey” Trust and obey for there is no other way, but to TRUST & OBEY. Sometimes these days I think my home might be built on a slippery stone” and that is why everyday I put my life, my family and my Trust in Him who can keep me from SLIPPING OFF my foundation when times are tough. Your Faith and your Style are both on solid ground.
I knew there was a reason that I liked you and your blog. You are a true christian that speaks out in today’s world and shares your faith with others. I find this easier in the south than I think maybe in other parts of our country. I hope that is not so though. Your message is beautiful and I thank you for writing it. In this stay at home time a message from God on any site is lovely to get.
Thank you Ruth. Our message cannot be canceled by the cancel culture!
I look forward to your posts every Sunday.They help me make it through the week.I would love if you could give some insight into the world today.Help me and everyone understand what’s happening.I am so worried.Thank you
Peggy, don’t be worried. It is from the evil one. Trust God and have an eternal perspective. God knows what is going on and He will use all evil for His good! Keep your eyes upon Jesus!
Love your heart, Yvonne and your gentle teaching. Thank you for sharing your heart.
Thank You…. Hope requires faith… Though we have not seen him, we love him and we wait for him with patience!
Thank you for this powerful word this morning. I have built my house upon the rock and although I am going through some terrible storms, it will stand. God is my rock and my salvation. May you have a blessed week.
Amen! What a great testimony! God promises your house will stand! God bless you Bobbie!
My prayers are with you today. Cat
If we think of God like this, as a worker and a craftsman, we can understand all the things He had to go through when He was on this Earth. He is the best example to follow.
Thanks for making us stronger and sure about our power thanks to Him.
Have a wonderful week full only of nice things and blessings,
Charo
God bless you Charo! I have a special spot in my heart for you! I can’t wait to meet you in heaven some day!