Ask any young child what kind of foundation a wise man builds his house upon and the immediate answer will be that “the wise man built his house upon a rock.” Such wisdom is illustrated in the firmness and surety of the foundation. A rock is a firm and steady foundation. It represents strength and steadfastness, something on which we can rely. By contrast, there are equally foundations that present no surety, no strength, no steadfastness. Christ mentioned both on one occasion in illustrating an essential truth to those gathered near the Mount of Olives:
“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And ever one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it” (Matthew 7:24-27).
From these words it is obvious that there is a spiritual foundation on which we can rely, one that has been and can only be provided by Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is a foundation that represents assurance and hope looking ahead toward the many obstacles of life and ultimately the great hereafter in eternity. What is it, though, about this foundation that makes it so special above any other to which man could potentially turn?
Because Jesus is it. If it were not already obvious, perhaps it would be beneficial to state the case as to who serves in the capacity of Christianity’s foundation. Paul identified Jesus Christ to be that foundation: “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11). Or more specifically, it might be said that Jesus’ divine nature as God’s only begotten Son serves as the foundation of Christianity. Jesus clarified it this way in Caesarea Philippi when after Peter confessed Him as such, He replied, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). That rock was the bedrock truth of Christ’s Sonship that would serve as the kingdom’s foundation. And seeing Jesus pictured and described the way He is throughout scripture, it becomes clear that only He could serve in that capacity. By prophecy Isaiah described Him in this way: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). Nobody else did or could meet such a glorious expectation—only Jesus. Thus, this is a foundation upon which we can rely because that foundation is Jesus.
Because the apostles laid it. The Bible’s clarity as to the apostles’ function in the early days of the church’s existence is obvious. Jesus on more than one occasion made reference to their immediate responsibilities after His departure (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8). They were to forge the way with gospel truth, blazing the trail for those who would come afterward, and lay the foundation upon which others would later build. As an apostle Paul explained this from the context of his personal application and the broader application by all apostles: “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon” (1 Corinthians 3:10). Elsewhere he also illustrated this point by saying: “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone…” (Ephesians 2:19-20). Why would I not wish to build my life upon the same foundation laid by the inspired apostles? Thus it is on that foundation I can rely.
Because God provided it. When in 1 Corinthians 3:10 Paul mentioned his personal responsibility as an apostle to lay that spiritual foundation, he specified that it was “given unto” him. From who did he receive such authority and inspired ability? Only from God who provided it. Literally, then, this foundation is God’s Divine plan, not the work of mere men. As Paul would go on to point out (vs. 12-15), this foundation is one that can stand amidst the trials of fire it must face daily. Its origin is heavenly, its strength is perfect, and its ability is infinite. The foundation upon which we can rely is from God Himself—how could we not trust?
There are few things in life about which we can be sure. We seemingly are betrayed and tricked so often that we find it hard to truly trust anything or anybody. Jesus, though, serves as the foundation upon which we can rely. Will we be wise and build thereon?