{"id":1011,"date":"2017-03-09T18:00:26","date_gmt":"2017-03-09T16:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.pellissier.co.za\/faith\/?p=1011"},"modified":"2017-03-09T18:00:26","modified_gmt":"2017-03-09T16:00:26","slug":"roots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pellissier.co.za\/faith\/2017\/03\/09\/roots\/","title":{"rendered":"Roots"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n“The greatest reported depth to which a tree\u2019s roots have penetrated is 400 feet by a Wild Fig tree at Echo Caves, near Ohrigstad, Mpumalanga, South Africa.”
\n– RNeighbors<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\nMark 4:3-8 (WEBBE): 3<\/sup>\u201cListen! Behold, the farmer went out to sow, 4<\/sup>and as he sowed, some seed fell by the road, and the birds came and devoured it. 5<\/sup>Others fell on the rocky ground, where it had little soil, and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of soil. 6<\/sup>When the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. 7<\/sup>Others fell amongst the thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. 8<\/sup>Others 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.\u201d<\/font>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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:<\/p>\n

\nLuke 8:6 (WEBBE): 6<\/sup>Other seed fell on the rock, and as soon as it grew, it withered away, because it had no moisture.<\/font>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Lets see what Jesus said about this in his explanation to the disciples:<\/p>\n

\nLuke 8:11 (WEBBE): 11<\/sup>Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.<\/font>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\nMark 4:16-17 (WEBBE): 16<\/sup>These 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. 17<\/sup>They have no root in themselves, but are short-lived. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they stumble.<\/font>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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?<\/p>\n

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!<\/p>\n

\nColossians 2:6-7 (WEBBE): 6<\/sup>As therefore you received Christ Jesus, the Lord, walk in him, 7<\/sup>rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, even as you were taught, abounding in it in thanksgiving.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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

\nJeremiah 17:7-8 (WEBBE):
\n7<\/sup>\u201cBlessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
\nand whose confidence is in the LORD.
\n8<\/sup>For he will be as a tree planted by the waters,
\nwho spreads out its roots by the river,
\nand will not fear when heat comes,
\nbut its leaf will be green,
\nand will not be concerned in the year of drought.
\nIt won\u2019t cease from yielding fruit.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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