Oops!

Read Matthew 7:24-27

In late 2010, a commercial airline copilot had one major oops moment. While the lead pilot had left the cockpit for a break, his clumsy crewman knocked the control column forward as he attempted to adjust his seat. The jet, which had been cruising at 37,000 feet, instantly nosedived more than 2,000 feet. The pilot managed to return to the cockpit, but then faced a struggle with the panicked copilot who wouldn't release his grip on the controls. The tug-of-war resulted in the plane plummeting another 5,000 feet. Finally, the captain returned the aircraft to normal flight mode, much to the relief of 113 terrified passengers!

Like that foolish flyer, we can also behave in ways that place us—and others—in danger. Jesus described a “foolish” builder in Matthew 7. Instead of constructing his home on “bedrock” (v.25), the guy chose a fool-friendly foundation—sand. Not a good idea, for when the wind and rains of a fierce storm hit the house, it “[collapsed] with a mighty crash” (v.27).

This teaching, the finale of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, called people to leave their foolish ways behind and to follow Him. He knew that the “storm,” a picture of God’s future judgment (Jeremiah 23:19; Ezekiel 1:4), would lay bare each person’s spiritual state. It would reveal whether or not they had chosen to follow God (Matthew 6:33), submit to His will (7:21), and walk with Him in obedience and righteousness (7:22-23).

You and I might claim to be believers in Jesus—to have our lives built on the Rock. But if our words and actions deny what He teaches as we foolishly push forward into sin and reckless living, we’re headed for a major spiritual nosedive.

Release your grip on foolish ways and turn over the control of your life to Jesus, and begin soaring with Him!

( by Tom Felten)