Adoe 1 Michael Adoe Hannah Meeuwse Biblical Studies 9 3 November 2013

Parable of House on Rock and Sand

One of the most famous parables that was written in the bible and had also been made into a song is the parable of house on rock and sand. The song has helped people to always remember that Jesus is the strong foundation. This parable also tells us that we need to rely in Jesus at all times. When fear conquers us, it will be hard for us to let go of all the things that we worry to Jesus. This is the reason why Jesus plays as an important role in our life because without Him, we cannot rely on any other things in this world. In the process of having a strong foundation in life, we will also need to follow Jesuss words and teachings because it will be a guide for us in achieving a strong foundation life. The parable of the house on rock and sand displays the importance of having a strong foundation fitting in Jesuss mission to tell people that we need to always rely and never doubt Jesus even though sometimes fear conquers us. The parable of the sower expresses a story about a wise man that builds his house on the rock and a foolish man that builds his house on the sand. The wise man that was able to listen and obey Jesuss word made his house on the rock, even though it was much harder to built the house on the rock and it will take a much more long time. Besides the wise man, there is also the foolish man who did not listen and obey Jesuss word built his house on the sand. Building his house on the sand could be much more easier and will take a shorter time. Until one day, a storm came and hit the land. The

Adoe 2 house that was built on rock did not collapsed and stood firm, while the house that was on sand collapsed and was ruined. In the parable, having that strong life was represented in the flood resistance building that was founded on the rock while a weak foundational life was represented by the sand. Temptations and unwanted things are expressed by the storm, while it will destroy our life when we are not strong. Jesus is the rock and the firm foundation because no temptations, storm could bring him down and that is our mission is to build our house on the rock. The builder who builds the house can represent us. If we just want everything easy and fast we are like the foolish builder, but if we want everything to be good while it takes a long time to finish, we are like the wise man. The parable tells us that we need to a wise man, which build his house on strong firm foundation rock so when the storm hits, our house will not collapse. This means that we need to build our life and faith in Jesus so when temptations from the devil tempt us, we will not fall for it. Another example if we fall for it could be having a spiritual collapse, financial collapse, and emotional collapse. This parable of Jesus was focused for the Jews, Gentiles, and everyone who believes that he is the Savior. It was focused for everyone because Jesus is trying to tell people that he is the firm foundation and a reliable God. Jesus is trying to persuade us that with him, we will not be easily tempted and destroyed by Satan. He also trying to say that without having Him as the firm foundation that people are building their houses on, their life might not be good and will be going smooth. Scholars have made commentaries saying that both houses appear to be equally attractive and substantial, but their comparative stability differs greatly (bibletools.org). In their construction, the materials and labor used were similar, and both houses appeared upright, solid, and

Adoe 3 sound. The reason why the house on sand collapsed was because of the foundation that is not strong. Building your house on rock and sand is a parable that can be applied and suited in our daily life. Everyday we need to pray and share all our fears to him because we know that Jesus is a reliable God. Asking for wisdom that will make us wise in making decisions to Jesus can help us to choose the right way in life. We have learned that Jesus is the firm foundation, which we need to build our house on. Building our house, our life in Jesus is simple, we just need to obey what Jesus teaches about in the bible and follow the words that Jesus says in the Bible. Even though we are already familiar with the teachings of Jesus in the bible, without applying it in our life, we cannot say that we have built our life on the firm foundation and that is Jesus. Sometimes, when we are in the moment where we are not spiritually strong, we intend to doubt Jesus but by learning and understanding this parable. It explains that if we doubt Jesus when building our house, we might not complete that building process and when the storm comes, we will die and not survive. This is why we must not doubt the mighty, powerful Jesus and must rely and believe in Him with our full heart. The easiest way to have a strong foundational life is by relying in Him, choosing wise decisions, and keeping in touch with Jesus, which means that we will always need to pray to Him and always read the Bible. After reading and understanding this parable, I have realized that this parable is talking about building a persons life according to the teachings of Jesus that later on we will have, a strong foundational life. I will also need to be obeying and applying Jesuss teaching and words to my daily life because I want to have a life that is strong and not easily ruined by the words of the Satan. In having a life with a strong foundation means that we are steadfast even though all unwanted things have happened such as false accusations, deaths lost of friends, and others. This parable also expresses about

Adoe 4 becoming a wise person and in this case, only Jesus has the power to make people wise, which we need to pray and ask for that wisdom. Knowing someone that is reliable and that someone is Jesus, we can rely on Him and confess all our fears and worry. Having someone to rely on, will be a very valuable thing because it will make our life much more easier.

Bibliography: "26 Bible Verses about Strong Foundation." What Does the Bible Say About Strong Foundation? 24 Oct. 2013. "Sinking Sand or Solid Rock?" The Wise Man, and the Foolish Man. 25 Oct. 2013. "Matthew 7:24-27." Build Your House upon the Rock. 25 Oct. 2013. "The Parable Of The Two Houses." Zion Christian Ministry. 25 Oct. 2013. "Parable of the Two Builders (Forerunner Commentary) - Bible Tools." Parable of the Two Builders (Forerunner Commentary) - Bible Tools. 25 Oct. 2013.