Reading Isaiah 26:1-6 (First Reading) in connection to Matthew 7, 21. 24-27 (Gospel Reading), on Thursday of the First Week of Advent, calls us to make sure that our faith is rock solid and therefore steadfast as our preparation for the arrival of Christ. From the Gospel Reading’s context, keeping our rock solid faith is indicated by our work of faith, acting on what we listen to our Lord Jesus Christ and what we listen to God through true prophets.
It is because the New Jerusalem in the new creation is firmly established upon Christ’s return (Revelation 21:1-27). And it reflects Isaiah’s prophecy of a city on a solid rock with secure gate (Isaiah 26:1-6).
Unless our faith is rock-solid and steadfast, we may not be able to endure tribulation to enter the Kingdom (i.e. Revelation 7:13-14). Remember, we must endure tribulation in order for the Lord to usher us into his Kingdom (i.e. Luke 21:5-28). And Peter also reminds us of this:
Know this first of all, that in the last days scoffers will come to scoff, living according to their own desires and saying, “Where is the promise of his coming? From the time when our ancestors fell asleep, everything has remained as it was from the beginning of creation.” They deliberately ignore the fact that the heavens existed of old and earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God; through these the world that then existed was destroyed, deluged with water. The present heavens and earth have been reserved by the same word for fire, kept for the day of judgment and of destruction of the godless. But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day. The Lord does not delay his promise, as some regard “delay,” but he is patient with you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a mighty roar and the elements will be dissolved by fire, and the earth and everything done on it will be found out.
Since everything is to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought [you] to be, conducting yourselves in holiness and devotion, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved in flames and the elements melted by fire. But according to his promise we await new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you await these things, be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace. And consider the patience of our Lord as salvation, as our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, also wrote to you (2 Peter 3:3-13).
Toward the end of his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-7:29), Jesus said:
Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?” Then I will declare to them solemnly, “I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers” (Matthew 7:21-23).
In other words, not all of those who recognize Jesus as the Christ, the Lord, will necessarily inherit the Kingdom. It means that just because we cite the Apostle’s Creed, as well as, the Nicene Creed, professing our belief in one Lord Jesus Christ, who was born of the Father before all ages, who is consubstantial with Him, and who is the incarnate of the Virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit, who came from heaven and died on the Cross but rose from the dead, and who will come again in glory to judge us, it does not guarantee our entry into the Kingdom.
We may say what we have done with our faith in Christ, how we worked in his name, to all Jesus’ attention. But he could still say, “I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers”.
You may wonder, how could Jesus say such a harsh thing to those who put their faith in work, for their faith is not dead because of their faith-driven deeds (i.e. James 2:26).
Actually, Jeus was rebuking false prophets (Matthew 7:21-23), against whom he warned the crowd and his disciples (Matthew 7:15-20; cf. Ezekiel 13:1-16). Though they may pretend to do works of faith, their works do not bear good fruits, because their hearts are not with God. Therefore, their works of “faith” are not for God but for their own self-interests.
Then, in concluding his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said:
Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined (Matthew 7:24-27).
Rather than being deceived by false prophets for listening to their cunning words, we only listen to the words of Jesus and the words of God through real prophets. And we must act on these words of the truth so that we may become wise, like the one who built his house on the rock. And this house endures all sorts of extreme weather conditions. On the other hand, those who listen but do not act on God’s words, which they have listened to, are as fool as those who build houses on sand. These houses cannot be sustained under harsh conditions. Consequently, they will collapse and be ruined completely.
The Word of God is not meant to be just listened. It is absolutely necessary that we listen to His Word. However, it is not sufficient to listen to the Word of God as it is necessary that we listen to the Word and act on it. This way, we will become like wise the one who has built his house on the solid rock. This way, Jesus will recognize us as his friends, as his brothers and sisters in Christ.
Now, who is the one to have built his unbreakable house on the rock?
It is the Lord, who builds such a house.
Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build. Unless the Lord guard the city, in vain does the guard keep watch (Psalm 127:1).
The First Reading (Isaiah 2:1-6) reminds that God builds not only a house but also a city.
On that day this song shall be sung in the land of Judah: “A strong city have we; he sets up victory as our walls and ramparts. Open up the gates that a righteous nation may enter, one that keeps faith.
With firm purpose you maintain peace; in peace, because of our trust in you.”
Trust in the Lord forever! For the Lord is an eternal Rock.
He humbles those who dwell on high, the lofty city he brings down, brings it down to the ground, levels it to the dust.
The feet of the needy trample on it— the feet of the poor (Isaiah 26:1-6).
The city built by the Lord is secure and peaceful. And he is an eternal rock to keep the city free from disaster. Therefore, no natural disaster can destroy the city built by the Lord.
In contrast, a man-made city is in chaos and in desolation (Isaiah 24:10-13).
Christ is on his way. He is arriving soon. But, upon his arrival, will Christ recognize you to bring you into the Kingdom?
It all depends on what you make out of the Word of God that you listen to.
Those whom Christ recognize are wise, like Christ the Lord, whose house on the holy mountain is secure, and who has built eternal city, New Jerusalem, characterized eternal peace and harmony and joy. So our faith must be rock solid secure to be recognized by the Lord.
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