Location, location, location…
Almost everyone searching for a place to build or buy a home
has considered the location. In fact, the three fold evocation of this word
underscores the overriding value of the “where” factor. Is it close to work? Is
it in a good school district? Is it in a good neighborhood? These questions,
among others, are considered most often, and they are all based on location. In
our readings for today, we see how the question of location applies to the
building of our lives. As you study these passages, look for this theme.
Isaiah 26:1-6
In
that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: We have a strong city; God
makes salvation its walls and ramparts. 2 Open the gates that
the righteous nation may enter, the nation that keeps faith. 3 You
will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust
in you. 4 Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord
himself, is the Rock eternal. 5 He humbles those who dwell on
high, he lays the lofty city low; he levels it to the ground and casts it down
to the dust. 6 Feet trample it down—the feet of the oppressed, the
footsteps of the poor.
In the
Southern Kingdom of Judah, the capitol city was Jerusalem. It was a strong city
for many reasons. Great walls surrounded the city with secured gates. In a day
when foreign invaders were always looming, having the security of walls, gates
and guards cannot be minimized. But, what made Jerusalem strong was not the
walls or warriors, but the favor, power and Presence of God. Verse one says
that, “God
makes salvation its walls and ramparts.” Protection was afforded the
righteous and faithful nation. Indeed, “blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Psalm
33:12). His peace was also known by those
who entrusted themselves to the One who was their “refuge and strength” (Psalm 46:1).
The Psalmist
implores the people to trust continually in the Lord because He is the everlasting
Rock. Building on a high place, and upon a solid foundation was absolutely important
for the longevity of a city. This is especially true when we realize that God
is the “Rock”! Notice how God responds to humankind. Those who are convinced of
their own sufficiency – He humbles. Like those building the tower of Babel
discovered (Genesis 11:1-9), God does not tolerate anything less than
dependence on Him – to “lean on the everlasting arms.” For the arrogant, and
those convinced that they do not need to listen to God, their city will be
decimated. The choice seems clear. Build on the Rock – with righteousness and
faithfulness. Or, build on self and one’s own righteousness and pride. Location,
location, location…
Psalm 118:1, 8-9,
19-21, 25-27
Give
thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. It is better to
take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. 9 It is better
to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. Open for me the gates of
the righteous; I will enter and give thanks to the Lord. 20 This
is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter. 21 I
will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation. 25 Lord,
save us! Lord, grant us success! 26 Blessed is he who comes in
the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you. 27 The
Lord is God, and he has made his light shine on us.
Furthering the exposition of this theme, the Psalmist admonishes the
giving of thanks to the Lord for who He is (good), and what He offers (His
enduring love). God’s unchanging character provides a dependable platform on
which to place one’s trust. Humans are fickle and unfaithful and are not worthy
of such trust. Given a choice, in whom should we invest our faith, hope and
trust? Entering the gates of the righteous, associated with the gate of the
Sanctuary, suggests close proximity to the Presence of God. Entering this gate
leads one ever closer to God. The prerequisite for entering this gate is
righteousness.
In
the past, God has answered the prayer of the Psalmist. Remembering God’s saving
acts on behalf of His people leads to thanksgiving and worship. God provides protection
(refuge), and, has become salvation (redemption). Verses 25 and 26 are
connections to the One who would indeed become the savior all men – especially those
who believe (1 Timothy 4:10). On Palm Sunday, the people chanted verse 26, “Blessed is He
who comes in the name of the Lord…” to Jesus as He moved toward the gates
of Jerusalem. As the Light of the world moved into the Holy City He would
indeed bring the Light of life into the dead and dark hearts of men.
In
Christ, God was taking up residence with men. Moving from the Heavenly
Jerusalem to the earthly one would have eternal significance for humanity.
Jesus became the gate of the righteous. Paul wrote, “…you are in Christ Jesus, who has become
for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption
(1 Corinthians 1:30). It is through Jesus and His righteousness, offered to us,
that we have access to the Heavenly Sanctuary and the Holy of holies in the
Heavenly temple. Our righteousness is like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Only
Jesus’ righteousness, given to us, will suffice. Clothed in His righteousness,
we have access to the Father! Hebrews 10:19-22 states, “Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we
have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by
a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and
since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us
draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith…” Location,
location, location…
Matthew 7:21, 24-27
21 “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 who is in heaven. 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.”
Jesus offers a stern warning for us. God’s Kingdom – His great walled
city of refuge and righteousness – is not available to those who merely claim
allegiance to the Lord. Only those who do the will of the Lord will enter the
gates. And what is the will of the Lord? To trust in the Lord so as to be
transformed by Him. In this, the hearer becomes the doer of the Word (James
1:22). Jesus returns to the theme of house building. Trusting Christ and
receiving His righteousness is necessary for constructing your house on the
Rock! Scripture teaches us that Jesus is the sure foundation (1 Corinthians
3:11), the Corner Stone (Ephesians 2:20), and the source of Spiritual
sustenance – as the rock that issued forth water in the Exodus (1 Corinthians
10:4). Building on the Rock provides security, regardless of the severity of
the storm. Sadly, those who hear but do not respond in obedience will build in
vain. For the torrent will tear asunder their self-made shanty.
In 70 AD,
the great city of Jerusalem, after failing to hear and do the will of God, was
utterly destroyed, along with the Temple. Why? This was the Holy City of God.
When Jesus had come some forty years earlier, He was rejected. They heard Jesus, but were not transformed by
Him. They continued to build on the old foundation and not the Rock – Jesus. Great
was the fall of that city!
The question
for us is clear. Where will we build? The most important consideration should
be, “Location, location, location…”
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