David Bahn – Reflections

“For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, ⁴⁴ for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. ⁴⁵ The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

⁴⁶ “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? ⁴⁷ Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: ⁴⁸ he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. ⁴⁹ But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”

Ron was a very intelligent man. Well read. Thoughtful. Faithful Christian. Biblically literate. Quick minded. He once told me of a conversation he had with a coworker. They were talking about one of their suppliers and his coworker made a very disparaging remark about the supplier’s motives and intent. Ron’s immediate response was to say something like, “Evil speaks as evil thinks.” He immediately regretted saying it, for it was a judgmental comment against someone who was being judgmental.

I say that because that thought echoes Jesus’ teachings here: “for out of the abundance of the heart the evil one’s mouth speaks.” There is much evil in the world. It flows from the hearts of evil men and women. We may wish it were not so, but we all get caught up in it ourselves. How many times have I called someone stupid (thinking of dangerous drivers)? How many times have I thought poorly of another person? How many times have I wrongly assumed another’s motives were unkind? 

Jesus does not pull punches when it comes to calling out evil in men and women. He called Peter Satan. He asked, “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13).

How do we build our houses on a solid foundation—we who do not follow Jesus’ words and commands as we should? The key is found in the previous chapter of Luke. He records Jesus’ words, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” Luke will also record Jesus’ teaching in chapter 13, “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

The solid rock upon which we must build our lives is one of repentance and faith. From such a heart will flow good fruit of love and good works. The good treasure in the heart of such a one is the gospel: the message of God’s love, grace, forgiveness, and salvation. This treasure is centered in Jesus, sent from the Father, and made sure by the Holy Spirit’s constant work in our hearts. Without the Holy Spirit’s work in our hearts our ruin would be great. Come, Holy Spirit, dwell in our hearts so that we build on the strong foundation of Jesus’ love and truth.