December 14

Text: Matthew 7:24-26

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock.  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock.  And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand.”  (NASB)

Jesus declared surrender to God involved more than agreement with God.  Surrendering to God’s values also involves practicing God’s values in daily life. 

Jesus looked for much more than agreement.  He looked for the kind of agreement that redirected the way people lived every day.  It is simple to give mental agreement—or even say Amen!  It is demanding to allow your agreement to redirect the way you live every day.

Jesus’ illustrations did NOT focus on sacrifices given, or contributions made, or synagogue prayers, or temple worship.  Can anything be more basic to daily existence than where a person lives?  Your house is a major investment!  It keeps what you own, keeps you warm and dry when it is cold, protects you from the sun and wind when it is hot, and was (is) your center of security at night.  Daily life demanded that a person select the site of the house carefully.

How did a person “act” on Matthew 5:21-48? Or 6:1? Or 6:21? Or 6:33? Or 7:1? Or 7:12? Or 7:15?  What is the point?  The point: Jesus’ instructions were not based on simple dos and don’ts, yeses and nos, rights and wrongs.  Most of the values Jesus stressed made it necessary to make decisions.  At the heart of each decision was one or more of God’s values,

Following what was traditionally done was not spiritually valid.  Merely going to the Fathers or to ancient sayings was inadequate.  One must go to God and learn God’s values (see Matthew 19:4, 5 for an example).  There is an enormous difference between seeking “to stay on God’s good side” and being devoted to God’s values.  Jesus’ life and death were devoted to God’s values.

Suggestion for reflection: How do God’s values factor into your lifestyle and behavior?  (Read Philippians 3:8-14.)