Sandcastles

The Parables of Jesus

March 3, 2022

Luke 6:46-49

“Sandcastles”

Most of us have been to the beach and built sandcastles at one time or another. Sometimes it’s as easy as taking a small bucket and filling it with wet sand over and over again and erecting a castle on the beach.

Other times it can be pretty complex, as the photo below shows:

No matter which kind of castle you build, they have one thing in common. Both types are erected out of the sand on a sand foundation. If a big wind comes up, the castles will slowly erode. Then, the castles will collapse when the tide comes in and become nothing but a memory.

The old real estate adage of “location, location, location” comes to mind when building a sandcastle. Building a house out of the sand on the sand will never last either.

Location and foundation make a difference when building a home. I live in Florida, so the best place is high ground. In most cases, that means building the base up to where the house will be constructed by several feet.

The second and most crucial part of a home is its foundation. Modern homes use footers, rebar, and cement floors. Many homes in Florida are made of CBS block, which doesn’t deteriorate and will stand up to winds and storms. The houses here also have special hurricane ties, which help prevent your roof from blowing off during extreme wind events.

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In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus uses the idea of having your home built on a solid foundation. It was His way of telling those He spoke to the importance of listening to Him. He wanted them to implement what He was teaching into their lives.

 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed, and its destruction was complete.” Luke 6:46-49

In this parable, Jesus is speaking about two different kinds of listeners. Some listen to His words and put them into practice, and those who don’t. Jesus is giving us straight law in this parable. Listen and learn what He has to say and implement it in your life.

In Luke 11:28, Jesus repeats these words once again in the Beatitudes,

“Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

So, what’s Jesus telling us? He wants us to build a house that resists the floods of life. That house is us building our life on the foundation of Jesus and His love for us.

He doesn’t want us to simply read devotions Bible verses and go to church. He wants us to live what His Word says. If you and I build our lives on Jesus, we have a solid footing when storms come into our lives.

When we read and listen to Jesus’ words, we can acknowledge where we fall short in following Him. Then we can adjust our lives and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in the direction and paths Christ wants us to follow.

This makes us stronger in Christ and allows us to be ready for trouble when it comes. As the song says, “Jesus is my rock, and He rolled my blues away.”

Perhaps it’s time to take stock and review how sound your foundation in Christ is. Where are you lacking in following His instruction, and where do you need to make adjustments in your life?

Jesus. Help us build our lives on the firm foundation of your word and love. Help us show others your strong love for us as we follow the path you put before us before we were born. Amen.