Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much
earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of
earth: Matthew 13:5
Because they had no deepness of earth. If there was soil, the seed
would have first grown down before growing up. This accounts for why the
seed immediately sprang up. The consequence for not growing down first
is that it will not have roots, and not having roots meant not having
nourishment, and not having nourishment meant not being able to
withstand the scorching of the sun. Every plant that will survive the
adversities of a harsh environment must have its roots deep down in the
soil. The same is true for the Christian life, those who are not
grounded in the truth of God's word will quickly be shaken and rooted
out in times of adversities. Jesus taught a similar lesson in Luke 6 of
the builders who built his house on the sand, without foundation. In
this present parable, Jesus concluded that the seed planted where there
is no soil withered away because it had no deepness of earth. The same
can be said of the Christian who is not grounded in the word of God.
In all His teachings, Jesus makes clear the need for us to be well
grounded in the word of God. This is where strength is received by the
Christian for living.
But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that
heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root
in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution
ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. Matthew 13:20-21
A rootless plant has no future, and the same it is with a Christian
who has no root in himself. Since the life of the plant is directly
connected to its roots, without roots, it soon withers away. This is
also true for the Christian who has no root in himself, he is quick to
fall away when his faith is challenged, or when persecution arises on
account of the word. The phrase of Jesus, "endures for a while" is very
significant in understanding the gravity of not having root in
ourselves. For a while implies that it is possible for a person who has
received the word, even with joy, can in the face of persecution turn
away from what he had earlier received.
Toni
