Jesus Was an Engineer
Matthew 7: 24-27
In 1906 San Francisco California was a thriving port city. Still awash in money from the recent gold rush in the mountains, San Francisco had built up a community for the wealthy, with many cultural venues and exquisite architecture. The city is built on a peninsula that protects a large bay against Pacific Ocean waves and currents. The population grew quickly as fortune-seekers came from everywhere to live where opportunity abounded. The wealthy built houses on the tops of the hills that define the peninsula, and put their foundations on the exposed bedrock.
Land close to the harbor was especially desired for building industrial facilities and homes (more likely shacks) for the workers. Since there was a finite limit to the available real estate, more land was created by filling in marginal areas on the bay with all manner of fill material. Every inch of this “new” land could be sold to someone due to the scarcity of good building sites. The Embarcadero became a beehive of maritime activity with ships loading and unloading constantly.
Then catastrophe came. An earthquake caused by movement of the San Andreas Fault caused damage up and down the California coast. The side to side movement knocked down structures that appeared to be solid, and sent waves of energy through ground that was wet or loose. In San Francisco, the embarcadero along the waterfront was totally destroyed. Elsewhere, fires started among the shattered homes and businesses. General Funston, commander of the Presidio, mobilized his soldiers to fight the fires and restore order. The only homes that were spared destruction from the earthquake were in the highest elevations, built on bedrock that did not transmit the energy of the quake.
Jesus spoke the parable of the wise and foolish builders at the end of the Sermon on the Mount. I can only guess at how he came to his knowledge of geophysics, but he most certainly understood about the need for a good foundation. When our lives are built upon the foundation of His words, we will remain unshaken through life’s trials. We may be tempted to build on other foundations that are not nearly so permanent. Belief in one’s own strength, power and influence is as shaky as the fill poured into the ocean at the Embarcadero. It is only through acknowledging our own weakness and turning completely to Jesus that we have a sure foundation that will keep us safe in the disasters of life.
Wayne
|
   
   
|
|
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by WRideout
Smoke4320
