As Jesus concludes his sermon, joining his inner circle of disciples are the crowds that have now gathered to listen to his words. It is safe to say that not even his disciples fully understand who he truly is. They are just beginning to understand that perhaps Jesus is the Messiah. But even the implications of that will not be understood by them for quite some time.

So at the end of his sermon Jesus calls everyone gathered on the mountainside to make a choice. And all who hear these words today are called to make the same choice. We have to do far more than merely consider Jesus’ teaching. We must choose whether we will recognize him as Lord. Are Jesus’ words the words of God or simply those of an ethical teacher? So Jesus presses upon us the fact that there are only two gates before us. One leads to life everlasting, the other to destruction. Will we be trees that produce good fruit or those which produce bad fruit and are then gathered up for destruction?

Finally Jesus calls us to consider whether we are wise or foolish builders. Have we heard his words only or have we embraced his words and responded in obedience? Have we heard and obeyed his call to believe? What have we done with Jesus’ call to follow him? Jesus warns those who hear his words but do not obey. They will be like a house built upon sand which will have a catastrophic end.

It would be impossible to exaggerate the importance of the differences Jesus sketches in these final words of his sermon. One way leads to life while the other to destruction. One tree stands while the other is cast into the fire. Among those who will say “Lord, Lord,” are those whose profession is undermined by the absence of genuine faith. One building is secure while the other collapses in disaster. The most significant of all our important choices is whether we will go the way of life or the way of destruction. Which foundation will we build upon? Will it be the rock solid foundation of Christ or the innumerable other ways which amount to little more than sand?