Deep Roots

Luke 8 is the parable of the farmer scattering seed.  Jesus first talks of where the different seed fell, then explains what it means.

• seed fell on a footpath where it was stepped on and the birds ate it = those who hear the message only to have the devil come and take it away from their hears and prevent them from believing and being saved
• seed fell among rocks, it began to grow, but the plant soon wilted and died for lack of moisture = those who hear the message and receive it with joy, but since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while then they fall away when they face temptation
• seed fell among thorns that grew up with it and choked out the tender plants = those who hear message but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and so they never grow into maturity.
• seed fell on fertile soil, this seed grew and produced a crop 100x = honest, good hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it and patiently produce a huge harvest

Luke 8: 15 says, “And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it and patiently produce a huge harvest”.

Each one of us fall into one of these categories…my thought was about the seed that fell on the rocks.  This seed begins to grow, but because there are no deep roots, when temptations come it has nothing to hold it up.  How do we get deep roots?

I believe the answer is found in 8:15….”good-hearted people who hear God’s Word, CLING TO IT and patiently produce a harvest.

cling¹    [kling]  Show IPA verb, clung, cling·ing, noun

verb (used without object)

1. to adhere closely; stick to: The wet paper clings to the glass.

2. to hold tight, as by grasping or embracing; cleave: Thechildren clung to each other in the dark.

3. to be or remain close: The child clung to her mother’s side.

4. to remain attached, as to an idea, hope, memory, etc.:Despite the predictions, the candidate clung to the belief that he wouldbe elected.

5. to cohere.

How do you grow deep roots? Hear God’s Word, adhere closely, stick to it, hold tight, embrace, remain close, remain attached, cohere to It and patiently produce a harvest. Do you cling to God’s Word?