Daily Devotions
Matthew
The Place of the Teachings of Jesus
Text: Matthew 7: 12 - 29
As Matthew drew to a close this series of the teachings of Jesus, he brought up the matter of its place in the life of the hearers.
“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of
Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a
wise man who built his house on the rock;
and the rain descended, the floods came,
and the winds blew and beat on that house;
and it did not fall; for it was founded on the rock.”
Matthew 7:24-25
“These sayings of Mine…”
How had the hearers understood the sayings of Jesus? How did they judge the worth of His teachings?
1. What was the worth of Jesus’ sayings?
Each hearer must decide the worth of what Jesus said. He had the liberty to check what He taught in the light of the Law and the Prophets! He also had the privilege of checking out what Jesus said against contemporary and prevailing teachings in the land! Ultimately, each hearer must come to his own conclusion as to the worth of Jesus’ sayings!
2. “And does them…”
The key phrase to note is “and does them”. This is the most important operative phrase! What would the hearers do with what Jesus said. It is not just a question of understanding! It is a question of application or practice! Understanding is all well and good. But if there is failure to practice what is taught – mere comprehension counts for nothing!
3. “On the rock…”
Jesus assured His hearers that His teachings were solidly founded on the Scriptures! What He taught had all the authority and power of the Law and the Prophets! He was able to say that His teachings may be described as bedrock! A house built on bedrock will stand the fiercest storm!
4. “The rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house…”
This was a vivid description of a storm assailing the house. However, because the house was built on the rock of the sayings of Jesus, it did not fall! The foundation of the house was firm! The house stood fast and survived the stormy blasts that threatened to destroy the house!
HEARING BUT DOING NOTHING
Jesus knew the hearts of men. There would be some who would not accept His teachings!
“But everyone who hears these sayings of
Mine, and does not do them, will be like a
foolish man who built his house on the sand:
and the rain descended, the floods came, and
the winds blew and beat on that house; and
it fell. And great was its fall.”
Matthew 7:26
The contrast was offered! There were those who heard, but they would do nothing more than hear the sayings of Jesus! There was polite hearing. There was no overt rejection of what Jesus said. However, the bottom line was clear! They did nothing with what they heard!
1. “And does not do them…”
This is the key phrase in both sets of descriptions. What really counts is “performance”. A person may hear much but if he does nothing else, he would be likened to a foolish man indeed!
2. “Who built his house on the sand…”
For all wants and purposes, the house built on the sand would, on the outside, look just like the house built on the rock. There would be the roof, the walls, the windows and the doors. The inside of the house could also be as well furnished as the house built on the rock.
There would be one telling difference, but that would not be revealed till a fierce storm struck. When that storm struck with all its fury, it would be too late to make any changes. The house on the sand would not be able to withstand the force of the storm! It would collapse under the onslaught of the wind, the rain and the floodwater! The collapse of the house built on the sand would be a tragic loss indeed!
Jesus ended His teachings on a most important note! He did not teach merely to inform. He taught so that people may be challenged to apply the truth of what they heard into their life. The theology Jesus advocated always had a practical element to it!
THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS NOTED
How did the hearers respond to Jesus after they had a chance to listen to Him? Matthew noted this in this text. This word needs no explanation! There was no mistaking the authority Jesus displayed in His teaching.
“And so it was, when Jesus had ended these
sayings, that the people were astonished at His
teaching, for He taught them as One having
authority, and not as the scribes.”
Matthew 7:28-29