The Parable of the Sower is one of Jesus’ most famous parables. 

A sower sows some seed—which, Jesus indicates, is a metaphor for the word of God. Ideally, the seed lands on receptive soil. That’s what you and I should want for everyone. 

But there are a few situations which don’t work out. One is ‘rocky ground.’ These people “are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away” (Luke 8:13).

If we slow down and look at the details he provides, we can see very clearly what Jesus identifies as the problem and also the risk.

The problem is that some people have “no root.” They haven’t developed spiritual practices to keep them rooted. These are things like prayer, Bible reading, corporate worship, acts of servanthood and fellowship with others believers. 

The risk is that “in the time of testing they fall away.”

So, what do we learn from this? We learn that even if someone joyfully receives the message of and about Jesus, they need to establish roots and expect testing. If they don’t, they will most likely “fall away.”

When I was in elementary school I planted a tree outside our house. At first, the tree was very tiny and flimsy. A toddler could have yanked it from the earth if it wanted to. But over time, and as the roots grew deeper, it became stronger.

Jesus teaches us that if we don’t have spiritual roots, we are increasing our chances of falling away from God. 

Testing and hardship will happen. They are a fact of life. But if we are receptive to Jesus’ word, and if we root ourselves in spiritual practices like prayer, Bible reading, corporate worship, acts of servanthood and fellowship with others believers, we will be better equipped to withstand the storm.

Grow spiritual roots. Not only are they life-giving, they are life-saving when the winds start to blow.

---

Notes and extra content:

–“I can smell the hands of fishermen.” Sermon. June 2, 2024. Click here.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.