I tend to agree. He is probably using it as a metaphor for a sound foudation that can't be shaken. When there is an earthquake houses built on sand are the most likely to fall and those houses on firmer ground tend to stand. Notoriously those who build along rivers or oceans are building on silt or sand and are msot subject to wind and waves. I wouldn't want to build a house near a volcano either.
Jesus says that not listening to Him and doing what he says is the worst element. Fear is only a symptom of the former.
1Jo 4:18 There is no fear in love: but perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath punishment; and he that feareth is not made perfect in love.
i like that verse a lot. i find it to be truthful.
it's also interesting to me that in matthew 11:20-30
jesus would revert to this...
20 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21 Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades.[a] For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.
seems to me this is more of a bullying tactic...not so loving.
because 1 cor 13:4
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
and jesus isn't so kind either or delights in truth and doesn't want to protect hope for those on the
outside
mark 4:11-12
11 He told them, The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables 12 so that,
they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!