Roots
Matthew 13:3-23
The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time."
(MATTHEW 13:20-21)
The hakea bush grows quick, thick and tall. It looks like a good plant for a hedge. But a strong wind will knock it over because the root system is very poor. The part of the plant that you can't see determines its real character.
When it comes to our character, do we concentrate on growing the parts that will impress others? Just like in the plant world, the part of us that can't be seen determines our real character. It is the place where we put down our spiritual roots. If we ignore it, we are just like the hakea bush because of our weak roots.
Jesus tells us that the one who has good roots is "...the man who hears the word and understands it" (Matthew 13:23). It takes time to consider if you have really heard and understood the Word of God. It takes a wholehearted effort to daily read God's Word. Take the time to think and meditate on what you learn and how it applies to your life. Then you will find that when difficulties arise, you will remain standing in faith and rooted in Jesus.
INSIGHT
NO TREE CAN BE STRONG WITHOUT STRONG ROOTS. PUT YOUR ROOTS DOWN DEEP IN GOD'S PROMISES, AND THEY WILL HOLD YOU UP.
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
2 Samuel 7-8
Psalm 139
Philippians 3-4
Matthew 13:3-23
New International Version (NIV)
3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
10 The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”
11 He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12 Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables:
“Though seeing, they do not see;
though hearing, they do not hear or understand.
14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:
“‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
15 For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’[a]
16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
Footnotes:
a. Matthew 13:15 Isaiah 6:9,10 (see SeptuaginT)
THREE THINGS TO BOAST ABOUT
Boasting comes naturally to us, but rarely is it a good thing. The Bible tells us it's okay to boast about some things. Do you know what they are?
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