By Deaconess Sarah Longmire
For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
~ 1 Corinthians 3:11
About a year ago I bought my home. To say that it was a learning experience would probably be too tame of a description. There are financial terms to consider (escrow?), an appraisal to get completed, and of course, inspections to schedule (what *is* radon?). There are banks to speak to, realtors to respond to, and copious amounts of paperwork to sign, initial, and date.
After purchasing my home and moving in, I then was an official homeowner — with all the surprises that come with that title! Is the garage door closing correctly? When was the last time the fireplace was inspected? Where did these stink bugs come from? The upkeep of a house takes a lot.
The quoted verse from 1 Corinthians speaks of a foundation. Before I would finalize the purchase of my home, I had to make sure that living here would be safe. Are the floors level? Are the walls sturdy? And those questions hinge on this important one: Is the foundation solid?
When we consider the church, our faith, and our identity, the foundation of these things is of life-and-death importance. Jesus teaches about it in Matthew 7:24-27 as noted in our study text.
The church is Christ’s bride. Jesus lays down His life for her. The church rests and is sustained through Christ. Our faith and our identity are given in Baptism, where our Old Adam is put to death and our new man is raised to life. God’s Word is the most solid of foundations; it is the only place where the church and each of us can truly rest and be safe.
It is God’s Word that rightly shows us our sins. It also describes the wages of sin: hurt, sickness, brokenness, loneliness, and death. When we try to build our foundations on our own works or worldly, false teachings, they are on sand. No one wants a house built on shifting sand.
It is God’s Word that graciously points us to our Savior, Jesus. God’s Word declares that He will pour out our rightfully gained wrath onto Jesus instead. God’s Word makes promises and keeps them. God’s Word declares that Jesus’ death and resurrection rescues sinners.
Peace is found in a solid foundation. As Jesus’ words in Matthew note, there will be rain, floods, and wind.
Living as sinners with sinners in a sinful world brings hardships, troubles, and sadness. However, on Jesus — our solid foundation — the rain, floods, and wind do not destroy us — indeed they cannot. We are firmly rooted in our Savior. Our Baptism defines us and Jesus’ victory over sin, death, and the devil is ours!
This month’s study text:
Build Your House on the Rock
24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
Matthew 7:24-27
Reflection Questions:
How does remembering that the church — and all of us in it — rests in Christ give us hope (especially in moments of uncertainty)?
Think back over your life; what were some moments when you experienced “rain, floods, and wind?” How did your Baptism and the gifts of God’s forgiveness and mercy give you peace?
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus to be our Savior. He is the Word made flesh; it is in Him and through Him that we know peace, mercy, love, and forgiveness. Thank You for giving us a firm foundation in Your Son. You keep Your promises; we are reconciled and redeemed through Christ. Forgive us when we try to build our own foundation; remind us and bring us back to the truth of the hope that we have only in You. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.
Deaconess Sarah Longmire serves as director of family life at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee’s Summit, Mo.
Above photo courtesy of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. This stained glass sits in Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lu Verne, Iowa, and depicts the Bible.