Therefore, anyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock, Matthew 7:24
This verse popped up this morning as part of a short meditation I listen to daily. In the past, when reading this portion of the Bible, I pictured a house built high on the rocks overlooking the sea. It was perched safely above the flood zone with a great view. Nice digs if you can get them. Lol! Today, I got a little peek at something different with the help of YouVersion and their daily devotions.
Reggie, a Bible Project teacher, spoke about what the first-century audience would have envisioned when Jesus taught about a house built on a rock.
“The house would evoke the idea of God’s house or the temple. When using the word rock, it would bring to mind a mountain or God’s Mountain. In the Hebrew Bible, temple and mountain always speak to the space where God and man meet—where love, wisdom, and presence could be found.”
This place where man and God meet is a much different picture from a house with an ocean view. It is not a physical structure at all but rather a place where wisdom and confidence are built through a relationship with Jesus, hearing his words, and practicing his ways.
The best part of this place where we hang out with Jesus is that it still has a great view. When we spend time with Jesus, we see people and events around us through his lens. We learn to love who Jesus loves, bring justice to those who need lifting up, and offer mercy to those who suffer.
So, if you’re looking for a prime place to build a place with an incredible view completely furnished with confidence and wisdom, consider getting to know Jesus. Here’s a little something I know about him. Jesus always starts from a place of love. Always. Seek him out for yourself and start building.
Trust in the LORD forever because in the LORD himself is an everlasting rock! Isaiah 26:4
Let’s start a conversation.
How are you building your relationship with Jesus, his words, and his ways?
Most days, I try to meditate on a portion of Scripture. YouVersion Bible app on my phone makes it super easy. It’s with me wherever I go, and it is a great tool that not only gives me access to Scripture in a variety of translations and languages but also has reading plans that will give Biblical teaching about nearly any topic. I have especially enjoyed reading the stories of Jesus’s life in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in the New Testament.
I also like the Bible Project. Their videos and podcasts are full of great information to help us understand Scripture. They share context and culture to bring the words to life. It makes all the difference in seeing the story in its correct setting.
Go ahead and leave a comment.
Tell us about how you are building your relationship with Jesus. Whether it be prayer, meditation, ministry, or Bible study, do you use any particular resources that help you? You might have something that will work for others and encourage them to get to know Jesus better.
Spending intentional quiet time/prayer are what works best for me.
Blessings, Patty!
That’s great. I think you need to be intentional. Good relationships don’t just happen. You have to invest in them. ❤️
Enjoyed Ms. Patty. I think my answer would have to be one moment at a time. Watching the cattle care for their young, a mama cat nursing her kittens, a broody hen who stinks up the coop and fights me for “her eggs”, or a quiet breeze sitting beneath a pine tree in the barnyard. From glory to glory, from moment to moment, I pray my relationship with God grows ever closer. God’s blessings ma’am. Such powerful imagery in your post. Great to see you posting again.
What a wonderful way to experience God, moment by moment. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. It’s good to be writing again.