A House Built Upon the Sand - Luke 6:49

The beloved physician Luke shared how Jesus said, “Whosoever comes to me, and hears my sayings, and does them, I will show you to whom he is like. He is like a man which built an house, and digs deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock”, and in chapter six and verse forty-nine of his book Luke shares how Jesus said, “he that hears, and does not, is like a man that … built an house upon the earth” where we read:

But he that hears, and does not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

The verse reads, “But he that hears, and does not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth;” Luke began with the words, “but he that hears” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding, moreover and the person whether male or female who perceives, understands, attends to and considers what Jesus says”, “and does not” which means “and fails to perform, produce and make ready what Jesus says”, “is like a man” or “is similar to and in likeness to a person whether male or female” “that without a foundation” which means “who not having a first-principle and sub-structure” “built an house” or “who constructed, founded and established a dwelling place, habitation or abode” “upon the earth” which means “on the arable land, country, land, territory made of sand”. Luke shared how Jesus said the person who “hears” what He says but fails to obey and keep His words are like a person who “constructs” their “dwelling place and abode” upon the “sand” of the “earth”.

The verse goes on to say, “against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.” Luke continued with the word, “against” which means “breaking and tearing toward the house” “which the stream did beat vehemently” or “that the overflowing sea, torrent or river struck and dashed against violently”, “and immediately it fell” which means “and straightway and forthwith the house fell down, was overcome and perished”; “and the ruin of that house” or “the breach, fragmentation and destruction of that dwelling place, habitation and abode” “was great” which means “was massive and large”. Luke shared how Jesus said the “overflowing waters” came against the “house” built upon the “sand”, and the “house” was completely destroyed by it.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how important it is not only to “hear” Jesus, but also to “obey” what He says. People who only “listen” to Jesus but do not follow His ways, are like a person who “builds” their house upon “sandy” ground. The house appears to be like the house built upon a “rock”, but the structural integrity of it is reveal when a “flood” comes against it. People who trust in, rely upon and cling to Jesus and His “sayings” will find themselves “strong” when the “trials, tribulations and troubles” come, however, when someone “relies” upon any other “foundation”, they will find themselves overwhelmed, overpowered, overtaken and torn apart by their circumstances. Those who are wise will yield their lives to Jesus and allow Him to become the “firm foundation” of their lives.

Next time we begin a new chapter and see Luke shares how Jesus entered again into “Capernaum”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".