A Firm Foundation

Homily Proper 9 March 6,2011

The parable of the wise man who built the house on a rock, at first hearing, seems pretty elementary.
After all, who would be dumb enough to build a house on sand, in a world where wind, rain and floods are all too common.
As a carpenter’s son Jesus knew the power of nature, and undoubtedly learned what precautions to take to best withstand the elements when building.
Jesus really isn’t talking about building here. He’s talking about his teaching. He’s saying it’s all well and good for you to listen, and say Lord, Lord, but now you have to do something about it.
If you don’t act on what Jesus is teaching, then you are like the fool who builds on the sand. You don’t have any foundation. You won’t last.
On the other hand, if you not only listen to Jesus, but take what he says seriously and live your life as he called you to…then you will be like the man who built a house on the rock with a firm foundation.
It’s interesting that we have this Gospel on the same day that we have Paul’s teaching that salvation comes through faith alone.
The two teachings, first by Jesus, then by his most ardent follower, do appear to differ.
This is a debate that the church has struggled with throughout its existence. In the letter from James we are told faith without works, is dead.
On the other hand, Paul argues Salvation is by faith alone here, and elsewhere in his letters.
In Matthew’s Gospel, it seems clear Jesus requires not only faith, but action based on that faith.
Listen to what he said again: “Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only the one who does the will of my father. Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophecy in your name. Did we not drive out demons in your name. Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?”
Spiritual exploits don’t seem to impress Jesus. Instead, he calls for faith which lives out his teaching in every day life.
So how do we understand Paul’s teaching and the teaching of Jesus as expressions of the same faith.
Perhaps the best way is to look at the context Paul is working in when he spreads the Gospel. He is trying to build a church, which unlike traditional Judaism is not based on the law.
While accepting the Hebrew law inherited through scripture, Paul sees the ultimate foundation of the church as faith in Christ crucified—the message of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit working in the world offering salvation to all who believe.
As a missionary to the Gentiles, Paul preaches Christ as salvation for Jews and Gentiles alike, and rejects the exclusivity of the Jewish Christians.
Salvation through faith alone, is an effort to avoid seeing God’s action as a quid pro quo…. which rewards our efforts…something we earn.
Instead, Paul sees God’s saving action through Jesus as an unmerited act of Grace.
And looking at Jesus, and what motivated this closing section of what we call the Sermon on the Mountain, a three chapter collection of Jesus teaching---we have to understand that Israel at that time was full of prophets, teachers, miracle workers, different factions of Judaism, and other religions brought in by the Romans and through commerce.
Jesus wants those who hear his teaching, not only to listen and say “what a great preacher”---he wants them to be ready to live out what he teaches. A new law, a law of love of God and love of neighbour.
In the beginning of the eighth chapter of Matthew, which follows this text, Jesus comes down from the mountain, and great crowds follow him.
In Matthew’s Gospel this is a pivotal moment in the story, and precedes dramatic healings, and other miracles.
Jesus has moved to a new stage in his ministry.
As we listen to the gospel week by week, as we worship, as we read our Bibles, as we pray, how do we take it to the next stage—and act on it?
That is something that we have wrestled with in the church for many years.
Some Christians put more stress on piety—that is dutifulness in religion. Others have put stress on caring for others, the social gospel. Still others have put more emphasis on spiritual gifts, and ecstatic worship. That is what the Pentecostal movement is all about.
What are we to make of these different manifestations of faith?
Perhaps the biggest danger is to have tunnel vision and declare that one size fits all; that we all have to live out our faith the same way.
In that respect, Anglicanism has always included great diversity as the middle way between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism.
As we enter this period of Lent, a time for self-examination and renewal of our faith, this passage calls us to look at our faith carefully, and not take it forgranted.
That’s why we are trying to offer many opportunities during Lent for worship and study. As we prepare for the great Easter feast, the coming of spring, the birth of new life, let us use Lent as a chance to check out our own foundations.
Is our faith built soundly? Or does it need remedial work?