November 13th

Built on a Rock

Luke 6:47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
Luke 6:48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock:

Hearing His Sayings

Jesus spent much time teaching in His earthly ministry, teaching about the kingdom of God, and how to get the kingdom into one’s life. He gave numerous illustrations of what the kingdom was like. And then He demonstrated the kingdom, and its power, by healing people. At one place, the Bible says that multitudes came to hear, and to be healed of their diseases. So then, hearing His words was a major part of the process of being healed.

A Strong Foundation

The faith process by which we receive or inherit the promises of God involves hearing the word of God, because it requires faith, and faith comes by hearing His word. The foundation for us as followers of Christ is based in the sayings of Jesus. One could argue that all of the word of God could be construed to be the sayings of Jesus, since He is the Word, Who was in the beginning, and Who was made flesh and dwelt among us. And that's a good point. But we are focusing at this time on the teachings that He taught to His followers.

What are His Sayings?

Jesus taught such things as having a humble and meek heart attitude, being merciful, forgiving those who have done us wrong, praying for those who despitefully use us, turning the other cheek rather than retaliating, being peacemakers, and many other things. He taught some of these things in the Sermon on the Mount, as it is referred to, in Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7, as well as in Luke chapter 6.

As He finished this time of teaching, He made the statement that whoever comes to Him, and hears these sayings, and does them, is like a man building a house, who dug deep, and laid the foundation on a rock, and his house could not be shaken or destroyed.

Digging Deep

The key to building on this rock is in the digging deep. The truth of Jesus’ teaching does not become real to us until we dig deep into His sayings through meditation and contemplation of them. Only then can we have these things revealed to us by the Holy Spirit, and then we are we empowered to do them, or to live by them in our lives.

Start the pursuit of His sayings today. Take the things that Jesus taught his disciples, and ponder them one at a time, allowing the Holy Spirit to give insight into them. Let Him make them real to you, as you dig deep into His sayings, and build your life upon the Rock of Ages, the revelation of the Word of God to your heart.