Teacher 3

Luke 6:47-49

Our nation still has its eyes set on cleaning up after the devastation of hurricane Katrina three years ago. We have watched with anxiety as Gustav and Hanna pounded the coast, and even homes in our area of northwest Ohio are currently without power because the winds from hurricane Ike knocked tree limbs down and tore out electric lines.

We are familiar with the damage a big storm can cause. The image of rising waters and pounding surf and the destruction they can cause are all too real in our minds.

But the forces of nature are not the only troubles we may experience in life. The storms of hurt and anger, the ruin of loss and emotional turmoil can batter our lives much as the ocean can wreak havoc in a hurricane. What can we do to endure such threats?

Jesus, the great teacher, explains it all so very clearly with this simple example. How are the two builders different? What is the result of a firm foundation? What about a weak foundation? What is that firm foundation (see verse 47)?

Jesus is many things to all of us. He is the Son of the Living God. He is our helper. He is the great healer. He is the mediator between us and God, that path of salvation and restoration that we need.

He is also a teacher. He provides us with instruction on how we are to live our lives, how we are to serve the Lord, how we are to order our behavior so that it might be pleasing to God.

Yet, we have the choice to listen and learn, or walk away and ignore the wisdom of Christ. And if we choose to walk away from the teachings of Jesus we are like a man who builds his house without a firm foundation. The storms of life will cause utter destruction.

The teachings of Jesus are a firm foundation for our spiritual and emotional houses. With the firm foundation of Christ’s instruction we have the ability to withstand the challenges that life and other people may assail us with. Diligent study and learning of God’s word can help us build a faith that can withstand troubles and tribulations.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How are you building a foundation on the rock of God’s teachings?