During a university weekend visit, we were invited to a family meal with our son’s new friends. Over lunch, a story was shared about a recent devotional with students that centered around the parable of the wise and foolish men (Mt. 7:24-27). As they discussed the differences in building houses on stable versus shaky foundations, one student made the comment, “Before the storm, on the outside all the houses look the same.” 

The story of the wise and foolish builders is a familiar cautionary tale taught in our churches to young children from the earliest age. We even have a song to secure the message of the story in little hearts and minds. The foolish man built his house upon the sand. The wise man built his house upon the rock. And when the rains came down and the floods came up, the foolish man’s house went “splat” while the wise man’s house stood firm. In other words, build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ, as the song and story teach, to receive blessings instead of disaster.  

Kids have a lot of fun singing this song, and we love to see their joy as they sing. It is fun to sit and listen, and it even makes us smile to hear and watch the song play out. We might even laugh over the vigor with which the children clap their hands together when the foolish man’s house goes “SPLAT!” 

The song may amuse and entertain, but the message is sobering. When a splat occurs in real life, it isn’t humorous. It is sad and can be incredibly painful. Only building on the foundation of Jesus and his teachings will keep our lives from crumbling. 

This message, found at the end of the Sermon on the Mount, may sound simple, but it is difficult. Read back through Matthew chapters five through seven and take note of what Jesus is asking us to do. Beginning with the beatitudes, there are eight characteristics we are challenged to uphold. For example, being merciful is not always second nature. Being a peacemaker takes effort. Reading further, shining a light into all the darkness surrounding us may take great effort. What about loving your enemies? Giving generously? Extending forgiveness? How about overcoming worry or not judging others? Jesus asks us in his sermon to go above and beyond just the expected or stated rules. 

Matthew 6:1-18 is a good example of the contrast between an external facade and inner work. Those who give in order to be seen by people, pray repetitively to be noticed, or fast in order to be known for righteous action already have their reward. They are rewarded when others are impressed with their religious and spiritual posturing. Jesus calls us instead to do more than just look good; he calls us to actually be good.

Rain and storms will beat against our house. But will our house stand firm? This depends on what work we have done previously to prepare. Before a storm, all houses may look the same. In a world so focused on appearances, it can be easy to get caught up in working more on the exterior. However, looks can deceive, and an unstable foundation will eventually lead to cracks and crashes. The observation made by the student during their devotional gets right to the heart of Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount. It goes beneath the surface. Discipleship is deep work. 

We’ve heard the words. We’ve sung the song. Now the challenge is to go out and live it.