O = Parallel passages say, “they have no root” to which Luke records “no moisture” as the reason why having no root was a problem. When there is no moisture that is when the plant really needs deep roots. In Israel, during the rainy season, there is an explosion of growth, and the hills become green with grass and brightly colored with a variety of wildflowers. But when summer comes it is all withered away. Jesus uses this very familiar image to encourage his listeners to allow His teaching to put down deep roots for the heat of persecution would come. When circumstances are not easy, or downright hellish, they needed to already be “rooted” so that the testing would not be too hard for them to endure. Mark uses the words “persecution or tribulation” and as is his custom the adverb “immediately” to describe the testing and the catastrophic failure of the seed to endure to harvest.
A = This parable teaches that I need more than joy and initial enthusiasm at hearing the word, I need to allow the Word to become deeply rooted in my heart. Emotions do not have “the moisture”, the strength to carry me through. I need a rooted commitment to the message of Christ, the Word of God! How well do I let the word take root in my heart? Do I let it break up the hardness of slightly subterranean pride and self-reliance? Do I trust God to provide what I need or do I wither in fear and doubt when the world challenges my new life in Christ?
P = O Lord, help me to not be superficial today, but to allow your Word entrance into the depths of my heart today. May you water my soul and sustain me until the harvest at your coming! I cannot do it in my own strength, my own wisdom, my own courage, my own love. Let your Word do its work in all of my life providing what I lack from your overflowing grace! Amen.
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