The synagogue was filled with an expectant silence, save for the occasional rustle of robes as men and women adjusted their seating on the stone benches. The air was thick with reverence and hope as the gathered believers listened intently, their eyes fixed on the man standing at the front.

Another day in the synagogue, where the apostles continued to share the words of life to all who would listen. It was incredible to witness dozens being added to the church on a daily basis. Indeed, the Lord was working mightily through them, building His church and growing it.

Thaddeus, one of the Twelve, stood before the people, his posture indicating an authority that was not his own. His voice, steady and strong, carried through the room with the quiet power of truth. His eyes, filled with fiery conviction, swept over the congregation as he spoke. 

“Our Lord once said,” he began, his voice measured, “‘Whoever hears these words of Mine and does them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rains came, the floods rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, yet it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.’” 

Gedaliah sat beside Shiloh, Morris and Berechiah. Mathea and Amariah were seated with the other women on the other side of the synagogue, as was the normal tradition. He leaned forward slightly, a stirring from his spirit arising at the words of the apostle.

Thaddeus continued. “But the one who hears and does not obey is like a man who builds on the sand. And when the storm comes, his house is destroyed.” 

Gedaliah nodded slowly, his mind already turning over the meaning.

Thaddeus lifted a hand. “Brothers, do you not see? The words of our Lord are not merely for hearing—they are for doing. A man may listen to wisdom all his days, but if he does not live by it, what good is it? Is he not like the fool who builds on sand?” 

Shiloh stroked his beard thoughtfully, murmuring, “It is true.” 

Moriss nodded, murmuring, “Indeed. To listen to wise counsel is one thing. To walk in it is another.”

Thaddeus smiled. “But to those who obey—oh, what a promise we have! We are built upon the Rock, which is Christ. And when the storm of trial comes—and it will surely come—we will stand firm.”

A collective “Amen” filled the synagogue. 

Thaddeus’s voice grew stronger, his eyes scanning the faces of the gathered men and women. “Consider the many trials of this life: they are the rains, the floods, the winds that test the foundation of our souls. But those who have built their lives upon the teachings of our Lord, upon the very Rock that is Christ, will not be moved. No tempest can shake the faith that is rooted in obedience to His word. We must choose to not only hear but also do, so that when the storms of life assail us, our faith remains unshaken, our lives secure on the immovable foundation of our Savior.”

Gedaliah nodded, feeling a warmth in his chest. He had already felt the change in his own life since coming to know the truth. The old fears and uncertainties… they no longer held power over him.

His foundation was no longer shifting sand. It was the Rock of Ages.

Thaddeus lifted his hands. “Let us be doers of His words, my brothers and sisters. Not merely hearers who forget after a while, but true children of the Living God who stand firm, even in the fiercest storm.”

The congregation sat in awe, hums of amazement buzzing across as the weight of the teaching settling over them like a mantle of wisdom. The Spirit of God was moving, and everyone in that synagogue knew they had been given something precious. Something life-changing.

Something their souls and spirits needed to imbibe.

Gedaliah looked at his father, who met his gaze with a knowing smile. He smiled back.

Oh, what a joy it was to know they were standing on the Rock! Gone were the days of dwelling in quicksand and having not the slightest clue.

Jesus was now their Firm Foundation.

***

An hour later, and the period of worship was over.

As the synagogue gradually emptied, murmurs of conversation filled the air as believers stood outside, sharing their thoughts on the powerful teaching they had just heard.

Gedaliah stepped out of the synagogue onto the main street, having left his family in while they communed with others. Not far from the entrance, he spotted two young farmers he had encountered and befriended in the past few weeks.

Talmor and Gideon, as they were called, were standing under the shade of an old fig tree. Their expressions were pensive, and their usual easy smiles replaced by something more serious.

Anyone from the synagogue could tell that they were deep in thought over the words of the apostle.  

“Talmor, Gideon!” Gedaliah called as he approached. “How are you doing, brothers?”

They looked up, and smiles spread across their faces. “Gedaliah, brother!” Talmor called.

“Good to see you, brother!” Gideon added.

“Same here, my brethren.” He took a place beside them. “I must say, that was an incredible teaching, was it not?”

Talmor exhaled sharply, shaking his head. “Incredible? No, Gedaliah, your word does it little justice. It was piercing.” He placed a hand on his chest. “It was as if he spoke directly to my soul.” 

Gideon nodded slowly, his arms crossed. “I will admit, I did not expect to feel this way. But… the words of Jesus are simply… unshakable.” 

Gedaliah smiled knowingly. “Indeed. That is what it means to build upon the Rock.” 

Talmor rubbed his chin, his brow furrowed. “That is true. As I stand here, I must confess, I  cannot believe how blind I was before. I remember hearing of Jesus when He taught in the Temple, and I dismissed Him as just another teacher stirring up the people.” He scoffed at himself. “And to think, that on the day of Pentecost, when the apostles spoke in all those languages, declaring the wonders and mighty doings of Elohim… I laughed and even said they have had too much wine!”

Gideon gave a humorless chuckle. “You are not alone, my brother. I said the same. I was part of that ignorant group too.” His face darkened. “But now, I see how wrong I was. The power we witnessed that day was no drunken madness—it was the Spirit of the Living God at work.”

“That is the truth,” Talmor agreed. He then looked at Gedaliah. “You believed more quickly than we did. What did you think of Jesus before?” 

Gedaliah’s gaze lifted slightly as he recalled his former thoughts. “Well, I always thought He was special. His words, His works… they were unlike anything I had ever seen or heard. But I did not think He was the Messiah. So when He was crucified, I genuinely thought He was nothing but a flash in the pan. Like Theudas and Judas the Galiliean.” He exhaled. “Until that day when Peter preached, and the truth struck me like lightning.”

Talmor let out a low whistle. “Amazing. I am only just beginning to grasp it. And the more I hear these teachings, the more I realize… Jesus was everything He said He was.” 

Gideon sighed. “And we mocked Him. Some of us, especially me, had the gall to even call for His execution, crying for Barabbas to be freed instead of Him. My, what darkness I lived in! I was blind!”

Gedaliah placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “But now you see. And the Lord is merciful.” 

Gideon nodded, his eyes glistening with conviction. “He is. And now that I know the truth, I will never go back to who I was before.”

Gedaliah smiled. “Neither will I.”

“Nobody can discover this truth and stay the same. Ever,” Talmor declared. “This is a life-changing truth. A truth that turns your life upside down and totally diverts your course in life. Praise be unto Jehovah that we have encountered this truth. We are safe, in this life and the life to come.”

“Amen,” responded Gedaliah and Gideon.

The three of them stood in reflective silence for a moment, watching as other believers passed by, their faces glowing with the same newfound joy. Truly, they were no longer the men they had been weeks ago. Whereas those few weeks ago, each of them either thought nothing of Jesus or scorned Him, they now saw Him and revered Him as their everything, acknowledging Him as their Lord and their Saviour.

Their foundation had shifted: from the crumbling sands of doubt and unbelief to an unwavering, unshakable confidence in the Rock of Christ.

Nice to see some of the scoffers turned from darkness to light. Just reminds you that nobody is too far gone to be saved…