Sandcastle Kings: Meeting Jesus in a Spiritually Bankrupt World by Rich Wilkerson Jr.

Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain cam down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.-Matthew 7:24-27

The premise of Sandcastle Kings by Rich Wilkerson Jr. is based on the above scripture in Matthew 7 and the stories of four different people in Luke chapter 7. In Luke 7 we find the story of the Roman centurion whom Jesus healed his servant, the Widow of Nain, whom Jesus raised her son from the dead, John the Baptist, and the sinful woman who brings an alabaster flask and anoints Jesus with the fragrant oil.  Mr. Wilkerson submits that the people in the accounts in Luke 7 are like the man who built his house on the sand, as we all are without Jesus.

At first I didn't completely understand Wilkerson's thinking behind the two connecting sets of scriptures. The people in Luke 7 had amazing things happen because of Jesus. They were like the the house that didn't fall.  But after reading some more, and thinking about what the author was trying to say a little more closely, I understand.  If we build our lives on anything but Jesus, we are sure to fail, and endure heartbreak in the process.

The centurion was distressed about his servant until Jesus showed up.  The Widow of Nain was in mourning because her son had died.  I believe John the Baptist was in prison when he began to experience doubts about whether Jesus was the Messiah.  And the sinful woman had built her life upon other things that caused her to be called the sinful woman, until she encountered Jesus.

I like that the author shares a message about this.  I know people who have built their lives on other things, especially people, and when it doesn't work out, it is very distressing. This book confirmed some things in my own heart that I believe the Lord was teaching me in the past.

There were lots of good nuggets in the book.  It is apparent that Rich Wilkerson loves God and loves people.  He shares a lot about his own life and story.  I think he is a voice for the younger generation and those on the outskirts who are hard to reach.

I recommend this book if you want a greater picture of the goodness of God and the ministry of Jesus.  In the story of the woman with the alabaster box, Wilkerson says this,

"Friend, we need to realize that Jesus paid all of our debt.  The more we celebrate this, the more inclined we will be to walk in righteousness."

We cannot build our lives on anything but Jesus, or we will be Sandcastle Kings.  We all are anyway until He shows up, and we put our trust and faith in Him.  It's easy to do when you know Him and how much He loves you.

Many blessings as you build the foundation of your life on Him,

Beth

Disclaimer:  I received this book free from Book Look Bloggers in exchange for a review. I was not required to give a favorable review.  The thoughts and opinions her are entirely my own.