Saturday 5th October
Read Matthew 7:24-27
“‘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.’” (NIVUK)
All of the images and metaphors Jesus uses in these concluding vignettes contain within them pictures of impending and immense destruction, fire, isolation and darkness. From these images the old-time preachers were accused of scaring people into the kingdom.
In one sense the accusation is sound, these metaphors spell out very clearly what the consequences of disobedience are. Coming as they do at the end of a sermon that sets standards that are nigh on impossible to meet in our own strength they become truly terrifying.
But this terrible storm, a storm that comes to everyone in the end, was weathered and survived by One who perfectly obeyed where we fail and hence was perfectly able to save us from the storm.
“During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him…” (Hebrews 5:7-9) (NIVUK)
