In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus lays out the principles of His kingdom and invites us to a life founded on His teachings. In Matthew 7:24-27, He likens those who hear and obey His words to a wise builder who digs deep to set his house on the rock. This imagery captures the essence of discipleship—not just hearing, but “digging” by removing obstacles that separate us from God’s truth and strengthening our lives on an unshakeable foundation. Let’s explore how the predominant themes of the Sermon on the Mount illustrate this journey of digging deep.
1. The Beatitudes: Cultivating Kingdom Attitudes (Matthew 5:3-12)
The Beatitudes introduce the Sermon on the Mount with blessings on attitudes that reflect God’s kingdom—humility, meekness, mercy, purity, peacemaking, and a heart for righteousness. Each of these qualities represents a “shoveling out” of pride, self-interest, and worldly desires. The poor in spirit, for example, are those who recognize their dependence on God, clearing away self-sufficiency to stand on His grace. Similarly, the pure in heart remove distractions, enabling them to “see God.”
Application: The Beatitudes call us to dig deep by embracing attitudes that counter worldly values, allowing us to align our foundation with the character of Christ.
2. Salt and Light: Embracing Our Influence (Matthew 5:13-16)
Jesus declares His followers to be the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world.” Salt preserves, heals, and flavors, while light reveals truth and dispels darkness. But these roles require an authentic witness. To be salt and light, we must remove anything that “dilutes” our influence—compromise, fear of man, and passivity.
Application: Digging deep here involves clearing out anything that dims our witness or lessens our effectiveness. A foundation rooted in Christ’s truth shines brightly and stands as a strong example to others.
3. The Law Fulfilled: Seeking a Deeper Righteousness (Matthew 5:17-20)
Jesus explains that He came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it, raising the standard of righteousness from external compliance to internal transformation. He calls for a righteousness that exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, who often focused on outward appearances rather than heart intentions.
Application: To dig deep, we must move beyond mere rule-following, removing self-righteousness and hypocrisy, and cultivating a genuine desire for God’s will. This foundation brings a righteousness that permeates our character and actions.
4. Anger and Reconciliation: Shoveling Out Resentment (Matthew 5:21-26)
Jesus teaches that anger, left unchecked, leads to spiritual ruin. Reconciliation takes precedence, even over religious rituals, demonstrating that relationships are integral to our faith.
Application: Removing anger, pride, and bitterness creates a foundation of forgiveness and peace, aligning us with the mercy and compassion of Christ. As we shovel out resentment, we create space for genuine love and humility.
5. Lust and Purity: Guarding the Heart (Matthew 5:27-30)
In His teaching on adultery and lust, Jesus emphasizes the importance of guarding one’s thoughts and desires. Lust distorts relationships and spiritual perception, making it an obstacle that must be removed.
Application: Digging deep means removing impure thoughts and habits, creating a foundation of purity and respect for others. This purity in heart and mind helps us see God clearly, establishing a secure base for our spiritual journey.
6. Faithfulness in Marriage: Removing Hardheartedness (Matthew 5:31-32)
Jesus speaks against the casual view of divorce, emphasizing the sanctity of marriage. In a world where relationships can be easily abandoned, Jesus calls for commitment and faithfulness, reflecting God’s covenant love.
Application: Digging deep here involves removing selfishness and cultivating commitment, love, and forgiveness within marriage. This builds a foundation of loyalty and enduring love, mirroring the faithfulness of God.
7. Truthfulness in Speech: Cultivating Integrity (Matthew 5:33-37)
Jesus calls for honesty, encouraging His followers to let their “yes” be “yes” and their “no” be “no.” Avoiding oaths and unnecessary vows demonstrates a commitment to truthfulness.
Application: Removing dishonesty, exaggeration, and manipulation establishes a foundation of integrity, creating trust and respect in relationships and reflecting God’s own truthfulness.
8. Radical Love and Non-Retaliation: Overcoming Self-Centeredness (Matthew 5:38-48)
In one of His most challenging teachings, Jesus calls for love even toward enemies and restraint from retaliation. By choosing love over vengeance, we dismantle self-centered impulses that hinder us from showing God’s grace.
Application: Digging deep here means removing the desire for revenge, resentment, and pride, choosing instead to love sacrificially. This foundation of radical love reflects the heart of God and endures even through conflict.
9. Genuine Worship: Removing Hypocrisy (Matthew 6:1-18)
Jesus cautions against performing acts of righteousness, such as giving, praying, and fasting, to impress others. True worship seeks only God’s approval, not human applause.
Application: By shoveling out the need for recognition and approval, we build a foundation of sincere devotion. Genuine worship strengthens our relationship with God and focuses our hearts on eternal rewards rather than fleeting praise.
10. Trust in God’s Provision: Clearing Out Anxiety (Matthew 6:19-34)
Jesus addresses worry, urging us to trust in God’s provision. He reminds us that God knows our needs and provides for His creation, calling us to seek His kingdom first.
Application: Removing anxiety and a reliance on material security establishes a foundation of faith, anchored in the assurance of God’s care. As we clear away worry, we open ourselves to God’s peace and experience true freedom.
11. Judging Others: Practicing Humility (Matthew 7:1-5)
Jesus warns against judging others, calling us to examine our own lives first. This teaching encourages self-reflection, humility, and a recognition of our own need for grace.
Application: Digging deep means removing judgmental attitudes, self-righteousness, and pride, allowing us to approach others with compassion and humility. This foundation of empathy strengthens relationships and mirrors God’s mercy toward us.
12. Seeking, Asking, and Knocking: Persevering in Prayer (Matthew 7:7-11)
Jesus invites us to ask, seek, and knock, promising that God will respond to our prayers. This encouragement calls us to persistent faith, grounded in trust in God’s character.
Application: Shoveling out doubt, impatience, and self-reliance deepens our foundation in faith. Persistent prayer aligns us with God’s will and reinforces our dependence on His guidance and provision.
13. The Golden Rule: Building a Foundation of Empathy (Matthew 7:12)
Jesus sums up His teaching with the Golden Rule: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12). This principle calls for selfless love and empathy in all interactions.
Application: To live by the Golden Rule, we must dig out self-centeredness, indifference, and prejudice, building a foundation of kindness, respect, and mutual care. This foundation creates a life that reflects God’s love and justice.
Conclusion: Building on the Rock by Continual Digging
The Sermon on the Mount provides a blueprint for building a life on the rock of Jesus’ teachings. Each theme represents an area where we are called to dig deep, removing anything that hinders our relationship with God and His purposes. B