Why Is the Wise Man Wise?
What is the criterion?
So ends what is most often called “the sermon on the mount.”
Jesus is abundantly clear that these teachings are not merely speculation or philosophy or suggestions or theological ponderings. They are imperatives.
The imperative is not simply to know what Jesus said, but to do it. In this way, even the act of reading this Bible study falls short of what Jesus requires. Studying the Bible, praying over scripture, memorizing the words…these are not the thing. They only contribute to the thing.
Everybody who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice…
The two builders provides a neat illustration. But don’t let the neat illustration overshadow its main point.
Everybody who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice…
It might be notable that the verb here, does them or in our case, puts them into practice, does not imply perfection. But it sure does imply action.
Matthew 7:24-29
“Everybody who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise builder who built a house on bedrock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the wind blew and beat against that house. It didn’t fall because it was firmly set on bedrock. But everybody who hears these words of mine and doesn’t put them into practice will be like a fool who built a house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the wind blew and beat against that house. It fell and was completely destroyed.”
When Jesus finished these words, the crowds were amazed at his teaching because he was teaching them like someone with authority and not like their legal experts.”
Prayer
God,
Help me to put your words into action, building my life upon your words, found in your Word, who is Jesus Christ.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.