Roots

Roots

Jesus was an incredible teacher.  He knew his subject matter – after all, he was God’s son (John 1: 1-2).  He was compassionate for his people – he wanted them to know His Father, too (Matthew 9:36).  And he knew how to relate all that knowledge to people in easy ways that would help them see the truth, that he was God’s son.  Many times, Jesus used parables, stories with human characters that have a lesson to be learned. In Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8, Jesus teaches a parable about a farmer who sows seed which falls on four types of soil.  The real truth behind the story?  It is how we respond to God’s message.

Which one are you?

A farmer went out to sow his seeds. As he was scattering the seed:

• some fell along the path and the birds came and ate them up
• some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.  But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered, because they had no root.
• Other seeds fell among the thorns which grew up and choked the plants so that they did not bear grain.
• Still others fell on good soil. It came up, grew, and produced a crop, multiplying 30, 60, or even 100 times.

When we read this, we know there is more to this story than just a farmer. So, when the disciples asked, Jesus said that people have to hear the message with their ears, mind, and heart – that can take time.

• The scattered seeds on the path eaten by birds – Satan takes away the word. Seeds don’t grow without soil.  Some people have hearts that are hardened and bitter.
  • • • These people do not accept the Word (Jesus is God’s son) like the seed doesn’t accept the path as a good place to grow. (Matthew 6:21)

• The seeds that fell on the rocky places with little soil receive the Word, but their root system is shallow; when times of trouble come, they do not have the roots to keep the stable and safe.
  • • • These people accept the Word, but do not get plugged into a church and begin to grow. Christian roots can only grow deep when you study and learn about the Word.   (2 Timothy 2:15   Hebrews 4:12)

• The seeds among the thorns understand the Word, but life, like thorn bushes, preoccupied them (money, desires) and their focus falls away from God and on things. The result: the plant grows but does not develop fruit. (Fruit = Galatians 5:22.) We are given the seeds of fruit when we become a Christian.  To grow them in our life, we must have challenging Bible studies, insightful books, reading the Bible, and putting our faith into action.  Like plants need fertilizer to flourish and bear fruit, we need spiritual food to bear our fruit. (John 15:5)
  • • • Well, I have been here. I have spent many years among the thorns.  Not reading and challenging myself with Bible studies, not putting my faith into action.

• The seeds sown on good soil hear and accept the Word in their heart, and with perseverance, produce a crop – LOTS of fruit! These people put down roots, and they were nourished with spiritual food which resulted in love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, and self-control.  And what did they do with it – – – they shared it!
  • • • This is where we all should be. Growing, learning, applying God’s word.  It’s not easy – but if we are faithful to do this, God will be faithful to produce more fruit

Before Jesus began, he said, “Listen!”  As a teacher, I said this quite often to get my student’s attention.  He was about to give them important information, and he wanted them to hear.  After he finished with the crowd, he says, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”  He repeats this sentence after he tells the disciples the meaning.  I think He wanted the crowd and the disciples to focus on the real meaning.  Dig deeper and find the truth.  In John 8:22, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

So, which seed are you?

How deep are your roots?