A Great Crash

24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

Economic and political turmoil has unfortunate, direct consequences on many seafarers. During the 2008 global financial crisis, hundreds of ships were suddenly laid up without work to do. Shipowning, a business that had been profitable for many years, was suddenly in deep trouble. History is full of similar tragedies. Change is constant, and any hope we put in the status quo will be dis­appointed.

Every economy and culture will fail eventually. Jesus knew this as he was teaching the crowds. Some of his listeners probably felt good about their life the way it was. Maybe they had become successful in business and were popular in their community, and maybe they thought they deserved all the blessings they had. We all like to feel secure in ourselves and in our own situations.

But Jesus warned that if people trust only in themselves, their life can easily crash down around them. There is only one way to build a storm-proof house, and there is only one rock we can build securely on. We must build our lives on the rock of Jesus, the one and only Savior. He promises a new life that begins now and will last with God forever. Storms may surround us, but if our life is built on the rock of God our Savior, our future will be ­secure.

Lord, help us to build our lives securely on you. Thank you for your protection when the storms of life come our way. Keep us focused on Jesus, we pray. Amen.