February 4, 2019 -- Luke 6:46-49 -- Rock-solid Faith

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes 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 the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.  But the one who 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 that house was great.” Luke 6:46-49 ESV

It is important to note both of these men called on Jesus. Both of these men built houses. Both of these men would encounter storms and floods. Trials come to all people. Such trials and floods can be: cancer diagnosis, death of a loved one, financial loss, family in-fighting, betrayal by a friend, flooding, burglary and the list goes on and on.

The man who built on the Rock, trusted in Jesus. When the flood and trials hit, his faith remained. Think of Peter. He betrayed Jesus. He denied Him three times. When the horror of what he’d done overcame him, he turned to Jesus. He had nowhere else to go. And Jesus received him and forgave him. No wonder Jesus is the Rock of our Salvation!

The man who built on the ground, claimed to trust in Jesus. He may have attended church regularly. But when he encountered the flood and trials of life, his faith crashed to the ground. When Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus and the horror of what he’d done overcame him, he turned away from Jesus. He did not believe Jesus could forgive him. Judas killed himself.

Ask yourself: am I building my life on Jesus?

Has the recent storm in my life drawn me away from OR closer to Jesus?

Jesus is the sure foundation for our times. If you find you are wobbling in your confidence, talk to a Christian whose faith you admire.

Jesus, thank You for being the sure foundation for ruined sinners. When everything else has been taken from our lives, You cannot be taken from us. Indeed, You are the sure foundation for our times and the rich treasure of wisdom and hope. Help us by Your Word and Spirit to be a strong community to help those who have encountered flooding and storms which have brought great ruin and destruction. Amen.