The Two Builders

Feature 2 – February 2020 – Grace & Truth Magazine

The Two Builders

A lesson about two builders is at the end of what is commonly called our Lord’s “Sermon on the Mount,” which is found in Matthew 5–7. The Lord told us at the beginning what we are to be, and in the end what we should do.

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on the house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.” —Matthew 7:24-25 NKJV

A wise man does wise things. He makes wise choices based on known facts. These facts are found in our Bibles, the Word of God. A wise man will do what God says in His Word. The house this man built was his own, for his protection and security. He knew the potential for the rain to descend with floods and wind, so he chose to build on the rock.

We are living in a world where Satan’s forces are against us. The wind is a picture of his unseen influence causing havoc, turmoil and death to many. It is similar to what a messenger reported to Job about the death of his children, “A great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead” (Job 1:19).

Satan is attacking our young people, but it is not that he has given up on the older ones. No, we are not exempt. In Matthew 14:30, Peter saw the effect of the wind when he took his eyes off the Lord Jesus: “He saw that the wind was boisterous ... and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, ‘Lord, save me!’” Young or old, we need to focus on the Lord.

Only a house built on the Rock can withstand and overcome the onslaughts of Satan. The house is a picture of our lives; it is our house. The rock represents the Lord Jesus Christ: “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer” (Ps. 18:2). “That Rock was Christ” (1 Cor. 10:4). The Lord is “a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation” (Isa. 28:16). “No other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 3:11).

Lives whose faith is built on Christ cannot be overthrown. The house on the rock did not fall. There is safety, security, stability and solace; all to be found in Christ.

On Christ salvation rests secure;
The Rock of ages must endure; Nor can that faith be overthrownWhich rests upon the “Living Stone.” —Samuel Medley (1738–1799)

“But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall” —Matthew 7:26-27

Hearing but refusing to do what the Lord says is foolish. The rock was available, but he made a conscious choice to reject it and build on the sand instead. The foolish man’s house had no foundation; it was on shifting sand. There was nothing to withstand the floods and winds. A foolish man does foolish things: this one gave no thought of eternity or what would happen when the storm occurred. He refused to accept God’s Word as the only guide for his house, meaning, his life and ultimate destiny.

If you reject God’s Word you do so at your own peril. Great will be your fall as you will be cast into the lake of fire. You will be there for all eternity. “See that you do not refuse Him who speaks” (Heb. 12:25). “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in ... rebellion” (3:15). Do not be like the foolish man; be like the wise man and build on the Rock.

By Paul Palmer