Matthew Chapter 7 continues and concludes Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount filled with both practical application and guidance on what it looks like to follow Christ. In this specific verse, He is contrasting the difference between a life built on Christ vs. a life built outside of Christ. I love the metaphor that He uses to describe the dichotomy of the two foundations. If you’ve been to the beach or sea before, you can imagine what it would be like to pour the foundation of a home on the sand. It may have the best view, be very aesthetically pleasing, and impress others, but the moment a significant storm comes through, the house will be swept up and washed away.
In verse 24, Jesus instructs us to build our house on the solid rock. Rock is solid, structurally sound, and does not waver through the storms of life. The difference of a lasting foundation versus a temporary foundation. The way we build our foundation matters in both construction and in the building of our lives. In fact, Jesus Himself calls it wise.