How Deep Are Your Spiritual Roots

Jesus said, “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience” (Luke 8: 11 – 15).

In this parable the seed is representative of the gospel.

Four types of soil and the response of seed sown on them represent various responses to the gospel. In reviewing them consider persons you have known and by which response they are characterized. Don’t stop there. Which type are you?

Note, “some fell by the wayside.” “Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.”

The wayside was the path where people walked, and nothing could grow because the ground was too hard. Do you know anyone like that?

Observe, “some fell on rock.” On rock was where the soil was thin, lying upon a stony shelf. On this ground the seed sprang up quickly because of the warmth of the soil, but the seed was unable to take root because of the rocky shelf. These are “the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away.”

Got anybody in mind?

Consider, “some fell among thorns….” “Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.” Among thorns described soil that is fertile — perhaps too fertile, because thorns grow there as well as grain. The thorns choked out the good grain and did not make a productive crop.

Does anyone come to mind?

“Some fell on good soil.” Good ground described soil that was both fertile and weed-free. A good, productive crop grew in the good ground. The crop may be a hundredfold increase to what was sown. Now, “the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.” Hopefully several people come to mind.

May you properly consider yourself as good soil. If so, study the Word, that is the seed, that you may know what crop to expect. The more you study the more deeply your roots will grow and the better the crop.