December 17th – Matthew 7:24-29
Spend some time meditating on these verses. Then, come back and read the commentary, my verse, and my response to God.
- Request God’s help.
- Read Matthew 7:24-29
- Record a verse that stands out to you.
- Respond to God.
Come back and read the commentary when you’re done…
Metaphors are my favorite way of explaining hard things. Here, Jesus uses a well-known truth (building your house on sand is a bad idea) to emphasize the importance of building your faith upon The Rock. If you hear the words of Jesus and act upon them (believe Jesus), you are very wise indeed. When the storms come, and they will, you will not be shaken. But those who reject the words of Jesus will be washed away by the torrents of guilt, fear, or weariness.
To the amazement of the audience, Jesus taught with authority. You see, the scribes were always in some kind of debate. They loved to mull over the Torah and discuss the possibilities. However, Jesus said, the Old Testament is all about Me. I am the Rock that supplied living water to all of Israel in the desert. I am the bread of life that fell from the sky for forty years. I am the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world. Follow Me. Jesus’ miracles testified that He was the Son of God. He taught with authority, unlike the Scribes. The fruit of His life was sacrificial love. Yet, many would reject Him then, and most reject Him now.
What stands out to you most about the connection between the Old Testament and Jesus?
My Verse: 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.”
My Response: Jesus always gives us hope. The roadmap to Jesus is the Old Testament. Jesus is the narrow gate. He is the only One who enables us to bear good fruit. He gives us wisdom and draws us to Himself, then graciously compares us to a wise man who built his house upon the Rock. Why is this particularly wise? Because spiritual storms will come, and they will be fierce. They may be visible and problematic, like an illness, or invisible and exhausting, like persecution. Either way, they will come. If you are reading this, I am hopeful you have already acted upon Jesus’ words and received Him as Your Savior. If not, would you enter through the narrow gate today?
Father, open our eyes to Your lovingkindness. We are safe upon the Rock of Your Son, Jesus, and are saved by no other name. Thank you, Lord, for making the way so clear. I have accepted You as my Savior and follow You as my LORD. Amen.
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Matthew 7:28 “When Jesus had finished saying those things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching.”
Your coming into the world changed everything, Lord Jesus! Even Your teaching upended our selfish thinking and called us to a higher way. From kings bowing before You as a tiny child and a star appearing at Your birth to Your discourses in the temple at 12, to these tremendous teachings … You amazed. You still do!