“I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built.” (Luke 6:47–48, NLT)
In Exodus 17, the people of Israel were in a quandary. Crossing the wilderness to reach the promised land after the exodus from Egypt meant crossing many miles of deserted, arid land. Water was scarce. After traveling for some time, the people began to run out of water and were thirsty. They complained to Moses that they feared dying. They began to doubt if God was really with them.
Moses was sure God was not only with them but protecting them. Moses prayed, and God supplied “a rock”. God told Moses to take his rod and strike the rock (Exodus 17:6). When Moses hit the rock, water burst forth; enough to supply all the water needed. After this miraculous event, Moses told the people this was “proof” that the Lord was with them in their journey (Exodus 17:7).
As the people of Israel neared the promised land some years later, they again began to run out of water (Numbers 20). Instead of relying on God, they again complained about Moses’ leadership and questioned God. Again, God supplied a rock. Moses struck that rock and enough water flowed to quench the thirst of all Israel. Still, God was upset because Israel refused to believe that God would supply their needs in the wilderness and because the people had lost faith in God (Exodus 17:13).
Throughout their wilderness trek, God supplied quail and manna and water for the people of Israel. In their hour of need, God supplied a rock, from which nourishing water would flow. In New Testament times, Jesus also used the analogy of faith as “a rock” in our scripture reading. Jesus taught his followers that those who have faith will be “like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm…” (Luke 6:47-48). Also, when Jesus talked about the future of the church, he mentioned that Peter would be “the rock” upon which Jesus would build His church (Matthew 16:18). In each and every instance of the Bible when God supplied a holy “rock” for the faithful, that rock brought teaching, learning, hope, or salvation.
Before Donald Grey Barnhouse began a famous preacher, he did a lot of rock-climbing and mountain climbing in the Swiss and French Alps. This passion was dangerous and difficult. “Roped together with other young men, he scaled many a peak; his snapshot book records moments of difficulty and peril that later made him wish to restrain others who might venture into similar places.” (p. 180, The Best Sermon Illustrations).
What many people don’t know about Barnhouse’s younger years is that the young preacher learned much about rock climbing from his closest friends. They told him, ““You have two hands and two feet,” they said, “and that makes four. Always be sure that three out of the four are firmly on the rock. It is the only rule of safety.”” From this, Barnhouse learned a spiritual lesson. “It is as dangerous to take your eyes from the Lord in spiritual things as it is to take your feet from the rock in mountain climbing.” (p. 181, ibid)
If you notice from the stories of God’s supplying a “rock” in Israel’s time of need, you may also notice the connection between these “rocks” and faith. The rocks supplied to Israel in the wilderness gave water to the people. It also proved that God was faithful to the people traveling in those treacherous places. However, the rocks also proved that Israel doubted God’s providence. Each time God gave Moses a rock for water, the people were complaining about Moses’ leadership, their lack of water, and exhibiting a lack of faith. Jesus’ parable also was about a faith that could withstand spiritual torments like a house that could withstand floodwaters because it was built on a rock. To be succinct, true faith needs to be built on the rock of absolute faith in God.
In the parable for today of the house built on the rock, Jesus said that the faithful person who had a sure foundation needed three things. First, that person needed to “come to Jesus”. The person needed to put their faith and trust in the solid foundation of Christ Jesus. Second, the person needed to “listen” to Jesus’ teaching. This doesn’t just mean hear the gospel message, it means to take it to heart… to really listen. You can hear without listening! Faith in Jesus the rock takes thoughtful listening not a casual hearing of the gospel. Finally, Jesus required that the faithful not only listen to the gospel but “follow it”. They need to obey Jesus’ words, not merely know them. Many Christians today may be able to recite a few scriptures, but do they obey the teachings of Jesus? Only those with a true faith have obedience to Jesus through thick and thin.
To end our meditation today, I need you to reflect on Jesus as “the rock”. Is your faith built upon the rock or is your faith a passing fancy? Is Jesus your Savior or a just a famous figure you pay homage to occasionally? Do you love God with all your heart and soul and mind and strength (Mark 12:30), or is there are part of you that doubts or lacks commitment or has “other things to do”?
To fully trust in God, your faith in Jesus needs to be “like a rock”. Otherwise, you will never make it through the floodwaters and storms of life and come out standing obediently, ready to meet the Savior.
Moses was sure God was not only with them but protecting them. Moses prayed, and God supplied “a rock”. God told Moses to take his rod and strike the rock (Exodus 17:6). When Moses hit the rock, water burst forth; enough to supply all the water needed. After this miraculous event, Moses told the people this was “proof” that the Lord was with them in their journey (Exodus 17:7).
As the people of Israel neared the promised land some years later, they again began to run out of water (Numbers 20). Instead of relying on God, they again complained about Moses’ leadership and questioned God. Again, God supplied a rock. Moses struck that rock and enough water flowed to quench the thirst of all Israel. Still, God was upset because Israel refused to believe that God would supply their needs in the wilderness and because the people had lost faith in God (Exodus 17:13).
Throughout their wilderness trek, God supplied quail and manna and water for the people of Israel. In their hour of need, God supplied a rock, from which nourishing water would flow. In New Testament times, Jesus also used the analogy of faith as “a rock” in our scripture reading. Jesus taught his followers that those who have faith will be “like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm…” (Luke 6:47-48). Also, when Jesus talked about the future of the church, he mentioned that Peter would be “the rock” upon which Jesus would build His church (Matthew 16:18). In each and every instance of the Bible when God supplied a holy “rock” for the faithful, that rock brought teaching, learning, hope, or salvation.
Before Donald Grey Barnhouse began a famous preacher, he did a lot of rock-climbing and mountain climbing in the Swiss and French Alps. This passion was dangerous and difficult. “Roped together with other young men, he scaled many a peak; his snapshot book records moments of difficulty and peril that later made him wish to restrain others who might venture into similar places.” (p. 180, The Best Sermon Illustrations).
What many people don’t know about Barnhouse’s younger years is that the young preacher learned much about rock climbing from his closest friends. They told him, ““You have two hands and two feet,” they said, “and that makes four. Always be sure that three out of the four are firmly on the rock. It is the only rule of safety.”” From this, Barnhouse learned a spiritual lesson. “It is as dangerous to take your eyes from the Lord in spiritual things as it is to take your feet from the rock in mountain climbing.” (p. 181, ibid)
If you notice from the stories of God’s supplying a “rock” in Israel’s time of need, you may also notice the connection between these “rocks” and faith. The rocks supplied to Israel in the wilderness gave water to the people. It also proved that God was faithful to the people traveling in those treacherous places. However, the rocks also proved that Israel doubted God’s providence. Each time God gave Moses a rock for water, the people were complaining about Moses’ leadership, their lack of water, and exhibiting a lack of faith. Jesus’ parable also was about a faith that could withstand spiritual torments like a house that could withstand floodwaters because it was built on a rock. To be succinct, true faith needs to be built on the rock of absolute faith in God.
In the parable for today of the house built on the rock, Jesus said that the faithful person who had a sure foundation needed three things. First, that person needed to “come to Jesus”. The person needed to put their faith and trust in the solid foundation of Christ Jesus. Second, the person needed to “listen” to Jesus’ teaching. This doesn’t just mean hear the gospel message, it means to take it to heart… to really listen. You can hear without listening! Faith in Jesus the rock takes thoughtful listening not a casual hearing of the gospel. Finally, Jesus required that the faithful not only listen to the gospel but “follow it”. They need to obey Jesus’ words, not merely know them. Many Christians today may be able to recite a few scriptures, but do they obey the teachings of Jesus? Only those with a true faith have obedience to Jesus through thick and thin.
To end our meditation today, I need you to reflect on Jesus as “the rock”. Is your faith built upon the rock or is your faith a passing fancy? Is Jesus your Savior or a just a famous figure you pay homage to occasionally? Do you love God with all your heart and soul and mind and strength (Mark 12:30), or is there are part of you that doubts or lacks commitment or has “other things to do”?
To fully trust in God, your faith in Jesus needs to be “like a rock”. Otherwise, you will never make it through the floodwaters and storms of life and come out standing obediently, ready to meet the Savior.