Matthew 7:13-27 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #4 Matthew 7:24-27 – Conclusion

Matthew 7:24-27 – Conclusion

 

MT7:24 “So, everyone who hears these words of mine[1] and does them,[2] will be like[3] a smart person[4] who built a house upon a solid Rock.[5] MT7:25 And the rain came down and the rivers flooded and the winds blew[6] and it did not fall. For it was founded on that solid Rock. MT7:26 And, everyone hearing these words of mine and not doing them will be like a stupid person[7] who built a house on sand. MT7:27 And the rain came down and the rivers flood and the winds blew and struck that house![8] And it fell![9] And the fall was great!”[10]

[1] Everyone who hears these words of mine: This would apply in the fullest sense to those right there in the audience who did “hear” these words from the teaching Nazarene. However, others were to “hear” by means of those disciples inspired by the Spirit-Helper who produced the Christian Bible, called the New Testament (John 16:12-14; 17:20).

[2] Does them: The “doer” of James’ epistle (James 1:22; 4:17). There is then that effort to learn the teachings of the Nazarene and then that “agony” to do them (Luke 13:24). With such a warning ringing in our hears what else can we do but make it our aim to study carefully these words of the Nazarene, and then one day at a time, to apply them with great vigor. Various renderings: KNX: commandments of mine; PHI: puts them into practice (Luke 6:47, 48; James 1:15).

[3] Will be like: The introduction to this sermon began with those pronouncements of favor and blessing and now the Nazarene concludes with a strong parable or illustration. There are only two categories: a) one who knows these words and does them; and, b) one who knows, but does not do them (This may infer a third: those who did not know them. Compare Luke 12:48).

[4] Smart person: The Greek is PHRONIMO and is generally translated sensible, prudent, discreet, practically wise, prudent. The Greek also refers to “a male person” with its ANDRI but we have chosen “person.” The modern contemporary usage of “smart” carries the idea well. Various renderings: BER: thoughtful man; NEB: he is like a man who had the sense to build his house on rock.

[5] A house upon a solid Rock: The teachings of the Nazarene are a solid, rock-hard basis for developing and directing one’s life, particularly if everlasting life and the Kingdom are in mind. Compare Luke 6:47-49. In Luke the builder “dug and went down deep.” Luke does not mention “sand” but ground without foundation. Note how Paul stresses “foundation” at 1 Corinthians 3:10 and Colossians 1:23.

[6] The rain came down and the rivers flooded and the winds blew: Each of these – rain, flood and wind – may carry a metaphorical meaning but essentially they describe those daily “hardships” the Nazarene assured would afflict (Matthew 6:34).

[7] Stupid person: The Greek is MORO (moron) something like Matthew 5:22 where the man is an apostate. This is serious. See Matthew 23:3 and Luke 6:49 on non-performance.

[8] Struck that house: Naturally, either “house” would be safe and secure without those environmental disasters. But, life is not like that, particularly Christian life with its narrow gate.

[9] And it fell: A spiritual collapse by a non-performer. Centering on the Nazarene’s summary of the Torah itself, the Golden Rule, this “moron” is one who knows what is right when it comes to neighbors but refuses or fails to act positively with neighbor love. Why? A single reason: egotism. The “moron,” by the Nazarene’s perception, is a selfish person, whose first reaction is always… Self. The Friend of the Nazarene strives to reach KENOSIS like Christ: “empty self” (Philippians 2:5-7) and so the cultivated inclination is to put the interests of others first (Philippians 2:3,4).

[10] The fall was great: It is not just a simple matter of restoring or rebuilding the house. It is much worse. Such words ought to move every Friend of the Nazarene to become thoroughly familiar with these words, perhaps reading them every month as a practice; and, then, by prayer and deep thought, work daily to apply these superior principles.

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Preceding articles:

Matthew 7:1-11 – The Nazarene’s Commentary on Neighbor Love Continued 7: Matthew 7:1-5 Judgment and neighbor love

Matthew 7:12 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Summary on the Torah’s Fulfillment

Matthew 7:13-14 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #1 The Narrow Gate and the way to destruction

Matthew 7:15-20 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #2 False prophets and fruitage

Matthew 7:13-23 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #3 Matthew 7:21-23 The ones Jesus never knew

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Further reading

1. Matthew 7:24-27
2. Matthew 7:24-27 (by Anchord in Christ)
3. Matthew 7:24-27 – devotion was written by Sally Hargrove
4. Parables
5. The Parable Series – The Parable of the Two Builders (Part 1)
6. A rock worth building on (Matthew 7:24-27)
7. Rock of Wisdom
8. Wise and Foolish
9. Wise build on rock, wise vote for rock
10. Build Your House on the Rock
11. Solid rock
12. On Christ the Solid Rock
13. Hearing and knowing is not enough
14. Strong Foundation
15. Taking Measure of Life
16. The faces of life
17. Slaves For Freedom
18. Check your foundation….
19. Make Your Weight Loss Goals Foundationally Sound
20. Spirit and Life
21. Is Your Foundation Solid?
22. Watch For Construction
23. Steadfast Cornerstone
24. Apologetic evangelism – The Greatest Teacher Who Ever Lived
25. What Does It Mean To Be A Christian?

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