The parable of the two builders appears in both Matthew and Luke. Matthew talks about building on sand, and Luke talks about building on dirt. The difference results from Matthew teaching to an audience of Jews in Israel and Luke teaching to a Greek and Hellenist audience in Galilee and Judea. The homes in this part of the world were built from mud reinforced with straw, wood, and materials easily found in the immediate area. Remember the story of the paralyzed man being dropped down through the ceiling to be healed by Jesus. The weather could stay dry for months and even years which made it tempting to be able to build most anywhere a person desired. But at any time, the weather could turn, and the dry stream beds could become violent out of control streams that washed everything away in its path. With these facts in mind, Jesus told the parable about the two builders.
Jesus tells the story of a wise man that builds his house on the rock. When the rains came and the stream rose, the wind blew. The house did not fall because it had its foundation on the rock. Jesus then told the listeners that not everyone who heard his words would not put them into practice. He told them the foolish man would build his house on the sand (dirt). Then the rains and winds would again blow, and the foolish man’s house came down with a great crash.
Jesus was trying to illustrate that a person’s life was like the building of a house. Faith, obedience, and sound teaching would give a person the foundation for a good life. The parable compares wisdom and foolishness. Jesus is telling people that those that come to Him and follow His teaching will be like the wise man that builds on the rock. This seems so easy to understand, but we have so many that choose to ignore the obvious.
The Bible is the word of God and gives us an understanding of everything we need to know. The Bible tells us that God created the universe, and “it was Good.” Then we came along and allowed sin to make things not so “Good.” “The parable of the house built on the rock versus the house built on sand is applicable here. If our faith is founded on a mature belief in and understanding of God’s Word, it will withstand the challenges we face in life. If we are only located within Christianity because that is what has been easiest to a certain point, as soon as something else becomes easier, our faith will crumble like the house built on sand.” (Abrams, 2022) To be a wise builder and not a foolish builder is a process we should all try to achieve. “We should trust the Lord and know that the promises of God are sure. We need to abide in God’s word. where we see the power of God, the promise of God, the provision of God, and the presence of God. We need to apply God’s word to our lives: believe it, live it, trust it, apply it, and pray according to God’s word. And last, we need to have faith in Jesus and in God’s word.” (Rogers, 2020)
Those that seriously listen to Jesus’s words will be wise. Those who hear but do not follow will always be in a mess. Not laying out the proper foundation is asking for trouble. This life may be easy and comfortable, but eventually, a problem will come, and there will be no solution. We all probably know someone that is cruising through life without planning and a proper foundation. These folks will eventually encounter a problem, and their happy, carefree lifestyle will collapse, just like a house built on sand. The person who has taken time to create faith and understanding will still experience problems but will benefit from knowing they have a foundation in God. The parable about the builders is moving toward God’s final judgment, which we will all face one day. Jesus is telling us to be wise and prepared by building our house of faith and belief, allowing us to weather all the storms of life. “Those people who have built upon the rock demonstrate a quiet fortitude in everything they do. They hear the word of Jesus, and they practice it. Because of this, they will never come to ruin. They believe in Jesus and obey His word.” (Kistemaker, 2009)
Abrams, L. (2022, 4 9). AnswersIin Genesis. Retrieved from Deconstruction and the House Built on Sand: https://answersingenesis.org/culture/deconstruction-house-built-sand/
Kistemaker, S. J. (2009). The Parables. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.
Rogers, R. (2020, 9 13). Faith Chapel. Retrieved from Get Through Anything: Here’s How to Build a Sure Foundation: https://agfaithchapel.org/sermons-messages/get-through-anything-heres-how-to-build-a-sure-foundation