Jesus is our Foundation
An excerpt from Scott’s new book: “Foundations: Become what you Believe”
“‘Very truly I tell you,’ Jesus answered, ‘before Abraham was born, I am!’”
Nothing survives the absence of a firm foundation.
New York City is an incredible place to visit. The culture, the art, the skyline—there are so many things to see and experience. The Chase Manhattan Bank, when it was built, was one of the tallest buildings in New York at the time. The plans were drawn up for it to be 60 stories tall. After they began construction, about halfway through the project they discovered a major problem. They realized that part of the foundation they were building on wasn’t rock but quicksand. They were faced initially with two choices. The first was to cut their losses and move the project somewhere else losing millions of dollars. The second choice was to continue the build anyway with the risk of the tower one day collapsing and killing thousands.
Then a group of scientists came up with an ingenious solution. They sunk pipes down into the quicksand and forced a solution of sodium silicate and calcium chloride into the foundation. This transformed the quicksand into solid watertight sandstone giving them a solid foundation from which to finish the project and that building has been standing tall ever since.
No faith can survive the absence of a solid foundation.
Here’s my question for you: What do you consider to be the foundation of your life?
Some people build their lives on the relationships in this life. Some people build their lives on the foundation of how much personal power and influence they can garner. Some people build their lives on a foundation of stuff, chasing after possessions and pleasure. We all build our lives on something.
Jesus recognizes this, which is why he speaks to the crowds saying:
“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. 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” - Matthew 7:24
What is he saying?
Those who trust in the words and teaching of Jesus is building their lives on a solid foundation. In an amazing display, Jesus proclaims himself as the foundation. This is the only way to have a steady life! When the storms of culture and crisis come your way, if your life is built on the foundation of Jesus, you can and will stand strong to the end. This doesn’t mean you’ll have no troubles, in fact, the Bible guarantees you will have troubles! Yet if you build your life on Jesus, you will find no firmer foundation.
The foundation of your faith up to this point may have been weak or perhaps you’re reading this and recognizing that this is an area of quicksand for you. Can I encourage you? If you place Jesus at the center of your life he can transform your foundation into something solid. In today’s reading, you’ll see how the person, life, ministry, and words of Jesus are the cornerstone of our lives. He is the Messiah, Prince of Peace, and Lord of Lords. Jesus is the Son of God.
Jesus is the solid foundation.
“One encounter with Jesus Christ is enough to change you, instantly, forever.” - Luis Palau
