Gospel Reflections #53: Jesus Challenges the Human Heart

Matthew 7:24 'Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and does them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock."

The Targum (originally spoken translation of the Hebrew Bible) on the Mount (Matthew 5~7) concludes with a series of contrasts. The final contrast is between the wise man and the foolish man. Both have heard Jesus' words. But only the wise man acts on the words of Jesus.

Jesus' words do not say much that we can easily do (Jesus' words bring challenges to our selfish human nature). If it were easy for us to do, we would not turn to Jesus. Jesus' tasks are always a bit challenging (the tasks are those of love and this is an impossibility of the human heart). He presents us with challenges that we cannot do on our own (These challenges are not the evil things that happen to us but these are the new worldview, the new understanding of how to live life, like the Gospel view of unconditional forgiveness. This is such a great challenge for the human heart). What do we do then? We can either find an easier way to do it and do it, or we can listen to Jesus and do the task He has given us.

They both hear the words of Jesus, and both houses suffer the same disaster. The only difference is the foundation, which becomes evident in the storm.

Jesus does not give us challenges and tells us to do something on our own. He is always with us, giving us wisdom and strength. And Jesus always has our safety and security in mind.

The challenges from Jesus are not meanness or harshness, but immeasurable love for us. Those who hear Jesus' words and do them are those who receive and respond to his love, not his commands. Our foundation is Jesus' love!

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This Gospel Reflections page is written by Masae San, a devoted student of the Bible who passionately embraces the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She shares her daily reflections on the Gospels as a way to reach out to others and spread the message of Jesus. We're sharing her message here so that you too can experience the joy that comes from the Gospel that has filled her heart.