Roots

“The greatest reported depth to which a tree’s roots have penetrated is 400 feet by a Wild Fig tree at Echo Caves, near Ohrigstad, Mpumalanga, South Africa.”
– RNeighbors

That is a really impressive root system – it is about as deep as the length of a rugby field! I am sure that you will agree that is a very well anchored tree indeed. And not only is it definitely not moving anywhere, it also reaches deep for water and nutrients.

A strong root system is an essential part of a strong tree. So when Jesus told the parable of the sower, it was almost inevitable that that He would mention roots.

Mark 4:3-8 (WEBBE): ³“Listen! Behold, the farmer went out to sow, ⁴and as he sowed, some seed fell by the road, and the birds came and devoured it. ⁵Others fell on the rocky ground, where it had little soil, and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of soil. ⁶When the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. ⁷Others fell amongst the thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. ⁸Others fell into the good ground, and yielded fruit, growing up and increasing. Some produced thirty times, some sixty times, and some one hundred times as much.”

There is so much that can be said about this parable. But today I want to focus only on the seed that fell on the rocky ground. The seedlings did not survive long, because they didn’t have deep roots. Luke adds something specific in his account:

Luke 8:6 (WEBBE): ⁶Other seed fell on the rock, and as soon as it grew, it withered away, because it had no moisture.

The plants didn’t grow because they couldn’t get to the deep ground water yet, through the rocks that are in the way. There are many home owners who will tell you about the power of tree roots. But those are mature trees. Little seedlings need to be nurtured.

Lets see what Jesus said about this in his explanation to the disciples:

Luke 8:11 (WEBBE): ¹¹Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

Mark 4:16-17 (WEBBE): ¹⁶These in the same way are those who are sown on the rocky places, who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with joy. ¹⁷They have no root in themselves, but are short-lived. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they stumble.

If we don’t allow the Word to really take root in our hearts, then it will be lost at the first sign of trouble. I am sure that you agree that we don’t want that to happen to us. So, what are we to do?

If somebody went back to the seedlings on the rock and watered them regularly, and maybe broke up some of the big rocks, and added more soil, the seedlings could have grown into big trees. It might sound like hard work… because it is. But it is worthwhile! Similarly, if we keep on studying the Word, keep on renewing our minds, and maybe remove some of the bigger sins in our lives, then the Word can grow even if the ground starts out a bit rocky!

Colossians 2:6-7 (WEBBE): ⁶As therefore you received Christ Jesus, the Lord, walk in him, ⁷rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, even as you were taught, abounding in it in thanksgiving.

If we are “rooted and built up in Him”, then we will experience God’s blessings that flow out of a relationship with Him!

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (WEBBE):
⁷“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
and whose confidence is in the LORD.
⁸For he will be as a tree planted by the waters,
who spreads out its roots by the river,
and will not fear when heat comes,
but its leaf will be green,
and will not be concerned in the year of drought.
It won’t cease from yielding fruit.