Light crane

Part 17 of 35 The wise builder

Jesus ended the Sermon on the Mount with a story: "Everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock" (Matthew 7:24–25).

But someone who hears his words and does not act on them is "like a foolish man who built his house on sand." When the storm came, "it fell—and great was its collapse!" (Matthew 7:26–27). The crowds "were astonished at His teaching, because He taught as one who had authority" (Matthew 7:28–29).

Imagined The crane

Instead of a rope, a beam of soft light holds each glowing marble block and lowers it gently into place on solid rock.

Real world A tower on soft ground

The bell tower of Pisa, in Italy, began to lean while it was still being built in the 1100s, because its foundation was laid in soft ground. It was closed from 1990 to 2001 while engineers worked to stop it falling, partly by removing soil from under its high side.

Real world Raising a barn together

In Amish communities in the United States, neighbors gather for a "barn raising". With many hands working together, they can put up the whole frame of a barn for one family in a single day, and share a big meal afterward.

Think about it

1. What does it mean to build your life "on the rock"?
2. Why is it not enough just to hear good words?
3. Why does a building need a strong foundation?

Key words

Foundation

The solid base a building stands on.

Torrent

A fast, powerful rush of water.

Authority

The right and power to lead or decide.