46 "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you? 47 Every one who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep, and laid the foundation upon rock; and when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house, and could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49 But he who hears and does not do them is like a a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation against which the stream broke, and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great." Luke 6: 46-49
In these three verses Jesus wraps up the instruction he began in verse 20. We've all seen houses being built. We've all seen houses destroyed. And while Jesus uses the images of house building, he is not really talking about architecture or engineering. Rather, his message is, dig deep within your self and allow my divine word to be the foundation of your life.
Jesus is speaking to his disciples. A disciple is not simply a follower (a tag-along) but a learner. And if I'm a real learner (the real deal) I will dig within myself until I get to the hard part — the real challenge of Jesus teaching. What is that for you, for me? Watch the news and it becomes clear that more than a few Christians don't "get" this. The January 6th insurrection in Washington was brought on by angry, white, Christian men. Christian discipleship (wise building) is a deep and personal inner dig and the laying of a solid rock foundation.
And what's that? The previous chapter 6 verses make it clear: Live in an awareness of the blessings. Love your enemies — do good to those who don't love you. Stop judging — stop condemning. Don't return curses. Live non-violently. Forgive and give generously. Know yourself in honesty and humility — be teachable) Do good to all — regardless.
I think the most difficult aspect of Christ's teaching is the forgiveness piece. The very least, forgiveness means that I wish for the offender everything he/she needs for salvation. Side note: the priest has to learn this lesson as much as anyone else.
It all comes down to a choice. Jesus doesn't sit in the temple all day debating religious laws, codes and dogmas. Rather, he tells simple stories about our having choices. Like the two men who decide how they are going to build their homes — one with a foundation and the other not. The one sure thing is that there will be storms. No one escapes struggle, pain, loss, sadness and disappointment. And in their faith stories many Christians will tell of how they were able not only to survive the storms but endure, carry on and even grow, because they had made the choice to lay a sure foundation grounded on and in the life style of Jesus' teaching.
Pity the gospel fellow who built his new home without a foundation. I bless God for the teaching-word of Jesus, and that I might choose and have the clarity and courage to live that teaching well.
