GPS

Mt. 7:24

A quick read of the stories of Jesus, like the parable about the wise builder who built on solid rock and the stupid builder who built on sand, appear to be harmless tales, no grounds for a capitol offense charge. But since the offense was taken, let’s not let the opportunity slip by while we seek to discover what precipitated the charge and launched a scandal.

‘Be wise about what you build your life upon’ Doesn’t that agree with the teaching of His day? Deuteronomy was well known to them, they knew that to follow the laws’ boundaries would keep them from trouble (Deut. 5:29) This is a good lesson, and surely this was nothing new or scandalous to the religious of His day. But when Jesus goes on to say to build upon a firm foundation, He is saying much more – listen and put my words into action. Now this gets scandalous for the established church. This is not a story of practicing good moral principles or biblical law. This is all about living in dialog with the creator of the universe. It’s beyond the commitment to read and follow a roadmap that directs your life in a legal or moral code. It’s about adding GPS – God’s Positioning System – and hearing His instructions as we go. God’s approach goes beyond a mechanized ‘turn right in 50 yards.” It’s a live conversation with the love of your life.

Seeking hearts were stirred to believe and code-conscious hearts got riled up in offense. This was no innoculous feel-good sermon. It was offensive to believe a message that traded mere dependency upon a religious institution for listening to the voice of God. It’s simple to do – just listen and follow GPS. But follow a voice that others may not hear? YOU hear the voice of the Great I AM, creator of the universe, speaker of the law to Moses on Mt. Sinai, the voice of the prophets of old? People who are more comfortable with that voice staying in a leather-bound book on the coffee table may no longer be a part of your support system. But just chill, you’ve got GPS.