The wise man who built his house on the rock
[Matthew 7:24-29]
If you live here in California, have you ever experienced an earthquake shaking your house or building? During the 1994 Northridge Earthquake (magnitude 6.7), my apartment building shook violently. At that time I was lying on the second floor in a bunker bed. I was amazed at how loud it vibrated. According to one Internet site, the Northridge earthquake in the United States did not appear in the list of the 10 most powerful earthquakes since the 20th century, but the Northridge earthquake ranked second in the disaster damage list ($44 billion) (1st place was the Kobe earthquake in Japan, estimated property damage is $100 billion) (Internet). If I share only two pieces of information, the most powerful earthquake since the 20th century was the earthquake in Chille in May 1960 with a magnitude of 9.5. The second and third places were the earthquakes in Alaska, USA (9.2 & 9.1). And the number one casualty caused by the earthquake was the earthquake in Indonesia in December 2004, with an estimated 250,000 deaths. The second and third places were earthquakes in China, with 242,000 and 180,000 people (Internet). According to Caltech Research Institute, there is a possibility of a mega earthquake in California within 20 years. They predicted that it could be a super-massive earthquake of 8.6 or greater, much more powerful than the expected 7.8. The Caltech Seismic Research Institute seems to have predicted it as a result of analysis of earthquake patterns in California over the past 100 years that in the next 20 years, the probability of a Big One with a temperature of 7.0 degrees or higher will reach 80 to 90% (Internet). So, I once asked my younger brother in Christ, who is an architect, how California builds buildings in case of an earthquake. I remember he said that when they build a building, the foundation shakes when an earthquake occurs. It seems that the design method is referred to as seismic isolation design. The seismic isolation design is a structure that does not receive the force of an earthquake due to the cutting device between the building ground and the ground. It is designed to prevent the building from moving together by installing an isolator (a device that isolates noise and vibration, a rubber sandwiched between the foundation and a building to increase seismic resistance; assembled with metal and spring) or a damper [(reducing vibration of the machine) brakes]. It is designed so that the shaking or movement of the ground does not cause the building to move together by installing a damper, etc. and installing the building on it. However, the disadvantage of this design is that it is expensive. And it is said that the maintenance cost is high (Internet). When considering this seismic isolation design, even if the cost is high and the maintenance cost is high, I think it is worth it in preparing for the big earthquake to come. Likewise, even if something that shakes us up like a great earthquake suddenly comes in our lives in the future, if we build and solidify the foundation of our faith according to God's design, we will never collapse.
As we meditate on Matthew 7:13-23, we received the lesson that Jesus gives us from “two doors” (vv. 13-14) and “two animals” (v. 15) and also “two trees” (vv. 16-23). If we reflect on the lesson we received, first, we must enter through the narrow gate (v. 13). The reason is because the narrow gate is the gate that leads to life (v. 14). We should never walk on the broad road that many people enter. The reason is because the broad road leads to the wide gate that leads to destruction (v. 13). Although the road that enters the small gate is narrow (v. 14) and there will be hardships, persecutions, and tribulations, we must strive to enter through that gate. Second, we must beware and wary of the false prophets (v. 15). The reason is because the false prophets are outwardly dressed in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves (v. 15). Third, as a good tree, we must bear good fruit (v. 17). The good tree can never bear bad fruit (v. 18). And the bad tree can never bear good fruit (v. 18). Jesus made it clear: “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” We must bear the fruit of eternal life, the fruit of the Spirit (the fruit of love), and the fruit of good deeds. And by no means will we ever be the only words, ‘Lord, Lord.’ Rather, we should become all who do the will of our Father who is in heaven (v. 21).
In this way, Jesus gave us the valuable lessons through “two gates”, “two animals” and “two trees.” Today, Jesus is talking about “two builders” in Matthew 7:24-29. As we meditate on those two builders, we want to receive the lessons Jesus gives us.
First, the first builder Jesus is talking about is “a wise man.”
Look at Matthew 7:24 – “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.” The wise man Jesus is talking about here refers to the wise builder who builds his house on the rock. Why did Jesus say that a man who builds his house on a rock is a wise man? The reason is because when he builds a house, he puts its foundation on a rock (v. 25). Do you know what is usually the first thing to do when building a hanok (traditional Korean house with wood-frame construction)? That's just laying the foundation stone or a cornerstone. Here, the foundation stone means a stone that stands under a pillar. When all the pillars are laid, the pillars are erected directly on the foundation stones. After that, it is said that they build the house by holding the the pillars. However, it is said that there is one process that must be passed when erecting a pillar on the cornerstone. It's called ‘Grezyl Method.’ It is making out a pillar around its bottom with a gauge for chiseling. Since natural stones are usually used for foundation stones, it is difficult to straighten the pillars no matter how wide and flat the stone is chosen. So in order to build a column on top of the cornerstone, you have to do the line work so that the face of the cornerstone and the face of the column fit well. The Grezyl's method is said to be simple. It is to cut and grind the face of the pillar erected on the foundation stone to match the foundation stone. Instead of touching the foundation stone, the face of the pillar built on it is always cut and polished to fit the pillar. The criterion is always the cornerstone, not the pillar. And if you do it well, it is said that the better you do it, the safer and stronger your house will be (Internet). In the same way, the wise builder puts his plinth on the rock (v. 24). So, what is “the rock” Jesus is talking about here? When we think of “the rock”, the concept that comes to mind is ‘solid, strong’. And actually, the figuratively meaning of “the rock” that Jesus speaks of in today’s text is ‘firmness’ or ‘stability’ (Zodhiates). That is why Jesus said to the Apostle Peter in Matthew 16:18, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” The meaning of this word is that the church is the church of Jesus, and the spiritual foundation of that church is Jesus, the rock. One thing we need to point out here is the meaning of the name “Peter.” We know the name's meaning mainly as "rock". But in fact it means "isolated stone" (Friberg) rather than rock. Therefore, metaphorically, “the rock” refers to Jesus (Friberg). Look at 1 Corinthians 10:4 – “and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.” The Apostle Paul referred to the water that Moses and the Israelites drank together at the time of the Exodus as “the spiritual drink.” Also he referred to the “rock” as “the spiritual rock,” and said that the rock was “Christ.” Therefore, in today's text, Matthew 7:24-25, the rock on which the wise man that Jesus is talking about builds a house refers to Jesus himself.
How, then, does the wise builder build his house on the rock? This is what Jesus is saying in Matthew 7:24a – “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them ….” In other words, the wise builder listens to the words of Jesus and does them in order to build his house on the rock. What is “these words of Mine” that Jesus is talking about here? Look at Matthew 7:28-29: “When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.” In other words, Jesus' "these words of Mine" can be narrowly said to be Matthew 7:1-23, but more broadly, it refers to Matthew chapters 5 through 7. This is called the Sermon on the Mount. In other words, these are the words that Jesus gave to his disciples and the multitude of followers on a mountain near the Sea of Galilee in the early days of his ministry. These words (teachings) of Jesus are not like their scribes, but like the one who has authority (7:29). Those who hear the words (teachings) of Jesus and put them into practice are the wise man who builds his house on the rock. This is spiritual Grezyl. The spiritual Grezyl is none other than living a life of living according to the word of the Lord, who is our rock (v. 24) (Internet). In other words, the spiritual Grezyl is not just crying out, “Lord, Lord,” but doing the will of our Heavenly Father (v. 21). The important thing here is that the standard in our lives is the Lord and the Lord's will, just as the standard is the cornerstone, not the pillar, in building a house. It means that we should not conform the Lord’s will to our will, but our will to the Lord’s will, just as the cornerstone should not conform to the pillar, but the pillar should conform to the cornerstone. The reason is because as disciples of Jesus (“the good tree”), we are only living according to the will of the Lord. That is why we must diligently lay down our will in front of the cross and pray that the Lord will build up the Church, the body of the Lord, according to His will.
In the Lord's establishment of His church, we must all listen to the words that come out of the mouth of Jesus, who is the rock, and obey them. We must not hear and do what the false prophets says since they are hypocrites who enter through the wide gate and who are outwardly in sheep's clothing and inwardly ravenous wolves. Rather, we must strive to enter through the narrow gate by believing in Jesus, who is the door of the sheep (Jn. 10:7), and listen to the words of Jesus, who is the true prophet, and put them into practice. By hearing Jesus' words and putting them into practice, what is the result when the church is built on the rock? Look at Matthew 7:25 – “And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.” What does it mean? When we hear and act on the words of Jesus, we can build God's house, the church, the body of the Lord, on the rock. At that time, no matter how much rain, floods, and winds blow against the church, the house of God built on the rock will never be destroyed (v. 25).
Second, the second builder Jesus is talking about is “a foolish man.”
Look at Matthew 7:26 – “"Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.” The foolish man Jesus is talking about here refers to the foolish builder who builds his house on the sand. Why did Jesus say that a person who builds his house on the sand is the foolish man? The reason is because the foolish builder built his house, and laid its foundation on the sand, not on the rock. Can you imagine? Which builder builds his house, and will lay the foundation of his house on sand? It is suicidal. Why? It is because when it rains and the floods come and the wind blows and slams against that house, the house built on the sand will fall greatly (v. 27). Then who is the foolish man? Who is the foolish builder? It is the one who hears these words of Jesus and does not act on them (v. 26). Isn't it interesting that both the wise and the foolish builders hear the words of Jesus, but the wise builder hears and acts, whereas the foolish builder hears and does not act. At the time of Jesus, who heard the words of Jesus and did not act? Were they not the Pharisees, the religious leaders of that time? They were the ones who built their houses on the sand. In other words, they denied the truth that they were saved by believing in Jesus and believed that they could be saved by keeping the law which was deceiving themselves. In other words, the Pharisees depended on self-righteousness, not on Jesus’ righteousness. And they believed that they could be saved by their own merits. Such belief is vain and it is like sand. That's why it's bound to collapse. It will fall apart, will inevitably break down badly.
We should never, like the Pharisees, depend on our own merits or our righteousness. Rather, we must rely solely on the merits of Jesus on the cross. We are the ones for whom all our sins have been forgiven only through the merits of the cross of Jesus. In this way, we are justified in the sight of God through the righteousness of Jesus. Therefore, our salvation is the gift of God, which is graciously given to us through Jesus alone. Therefore, we must stand firm on the word of Jesus, who is the Rock. We must stand firm on the gospel of Jesus Christ. And we must obey the gospel of Jesus Christ and live a life worthy of the gospel. We must all become wise people who hear the words of Jesus and act on them. Then, no matter what tribulation and adversity may come in our lives, the house built on the rock will never fall.
I want you to remember the promises the Lord gave to our church once again. That promise is in Matthew 16:18: “… I … will build my church …. ” Our church is the Lord's church. And the Lord has promised us that He Himself will establish the body of the Lord, the Church. We who participate in the work that the Lord has established, we must hold onto this promise and believe that the Lord, our Rock, who gave this promise, is a faithful God. Not only do we believe, we must go further and praise our God by faith: “ASCRIBE GREATNESS to our God, the Rock, His work is perfect and all His ways are just. Ascribe greatness to our God, the Rock, His work is perfect and all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Good and upright is He; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Good and upright is He” (“ASCRIBE GREATNESS to our God”). And we must hear the words of the Lord and act on them. Look at the verse 1 and the chorus of the hymn “Those Who Hear and Do the Word”: “Those who hear and do the word Of the Master ever, Build a house on solid rock, To be shaken never. When the rains, and floods appall, All the tempests' fury Cannot shake it, standing tall, On the rock, securely. Build we well, Build to last, Build our house together; On the Rock of Ages, fast, Build to stand forever!” I hope and pray that you and I will build the Lord's church well.