The Sermon On The MountSample

As Jesus approaches the conclusion of his Sermon, he talks about two ways with two gates; two trees with two fruits; and two houses with two foundations.

What is striking in each case is this: the way that leads to and the door that opens to eternal life is Jesus himself – “I am the way” (Jn. 14:6). Jesus did not come into the world just to show us the way. He is the way that leads to eternal life. He also said, “I am the door” (Jn. 10:9). He did not come to just show us the door. He is the door that opens up to eternal life.

Similarly, the tree that bears good fruit is Jesus himself – “I am the true vine” (Jn. 15:1). The only way to be a good tree that bears good fruit is by being grafted into Jesus himself, and by abiding in him. Without this, all our human efforts to produce out of our own resources “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal. 5:22-23) are doomed. It is only when the Spirit of Christ fills and controls us continually that Christ is formed in us, and the fruit of the Spirit is borne by us.

Our lives are also like houses that we build. On the outside, we may be well covered, painted, and ornamented. But it makes a world of difference what foundations our lives are built upon. Again, the strong and stable foundation of our lives is Christ himself – “This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone” (Acts 4:11).