Category: New Testament

Loose Footing

~ Sowmya Gali

Mark 4: 5-6

Other seed fell on the rocky ground where it did not have much soil; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of soil.

And after the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.

Continuing with the parable of the sower, Jesus mentions the seed that fell among rocky ground. Seeds that fall on rocky ground tend to find instant moisture and sprout. Their roots are shallow. However, due to lack of firm and deeper roots, such plants tend to wither very quickly. Any outside force like wind or water or heat will quickly kill the plant. If the roots had firm hold in the soil underneath those rocks, then, they probably would survive. A stronger and deeper root keeps a plant healthy, steady and strong despite the changing weather patterns and other external factors.

Jesus likens such seed to people who receive God’s Word gladly but due to lack of firm footing in the Word, get distracted or affected by outside influences. In Luke’s Gospel of Jesus Christ, Jesus explains that such people believe for a while but in time of temptation, give up on God. In Matthew’s Gospel of Jesus Christ, Jesus adds that such a person with no firm root in himself, falls easily into temptation or when a small persecution arises, immediately falls away. Their joy of receiving the Word of God is only temporary.

For a plant to grow, they need their root structure to be firmly established before they even put out their first stem or first set of leaves. Once the seed’s root is established, now the small sprouted seed tries to put its energy into sending forth a stem and slowly leaves. If the root has not gone down deep enough, if it hasn’t established a firm footing in the soil, then sure enough, any environmental forces can curb its growth. Rocky places are not ideal places to establish roots.

In my own gardening experience, I’ve noticed this difference with succulents. When they have rocky soil, they will struggle for a few days. But over watering or exposure to extreme weather can kill them. Many a times, they are beyond revival. However, when the same succulents are planted in well-draining, nutrient rich soil, they thrive and establish their roots. Once the roots are established, they put out new leaves. Even if extreme weather conditions seem to beat down on the plant, they will conserve their energy and wait for right conditions to continue to grow again.

How is the Seed – God’s Word planted in our lives? Are we on rocky soil finding hard to establish roots? Are we easily swayed by temptation? Are we quick to give up on God when faced with persecution? Do outside forces influence us more than the Word of God? Do we hold our peace when facing a trial? Or do we find ourselves anxious and restless at the slightest disturbance?

If our faith is deep enough, confident enough, and strong enough in the Lord, we can endure any kind of stormy weather. No outside influence can uproot us. In these dark days, it is imperative that we let down our roots deeper in the Word of God. With numerous distractions, lies and deception to steer us away from the path that God set before us, it is vital for us to check our root system and the surroundings that we are placed in. Are the people around us enhancing our growth or are they stumbling rocks that are hindering our healthy growth? Are life’s trials and temptations keeping us grounded in the Truth of the Gospel or are we being easily carried away by a slight tickle of the ear?

In exhortation, John 15: 5

I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

Easy Pickings

~ Sowmya Gali

Luke 8: 5

“The sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell beside the road, and it was trampled under foot and the birds of the air ate it up.

Jesus, in this parable sets off narrating about a farmer or sower who goes out into the field to sow some seeds. As he picks a few seeds from the bag, some slipped and fell on the side of the path. The farmer didn’t stop to pick them up or sow them in. Instead, he walks on. These seeds are now exposed to the elements: exposed to blazing sun, incessant rain, birds, rodents, insects, etc.  With no firm ground to take root, they tend to die off.

The disciples were perplexed when they heard this Parable. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, begins to explain to them. He compares the seeds that fell on the side of the road, the ones which neither had the right conditions to begin germination nor a stronghold to latch onto, to people who hear the Word of God but become easy pickings to the evil one due to their loose grasp on the Word. “Those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved. Luke 8: 12

Matthew’s account explains even further what Jesus gave in His explanation. Jesus here elaborates that when such people hear the Word of God, unable to understand it, they become easy prey to the devises of the devil. “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road. Matthew 13: 19 They are the ones whose hearts are easily distracted. Any distraction would lead them away from the truth, which is the devil’s agenda in the first place. An underlying fact also remains here: they are the people who don’t take time to dwell a little longer and try to understand the Word. They are looking for easy answers and quick solutions. Wherever they find a quick remedy for their malady, they will pursue that.

Mark’s account gives us a slightly interesting perspective. We can actually visualize this narrative: a person hears the Word of God; he is walking along and the devil is lurking in the corner to distract so that Word doesn’t take root. Thereby, the devil achieved his plan of keeping people away from the truth by showing a shiny object. “These are the ones who are beside the road where the word is sown; and when they hear; immediately Satan comes and takes away the word which has been sown in them.” Mark 4: 15

Whatever the narrative is, the truth remains the same. How many in the world have heard the Gospel but due to lack of resources or someone to explain to them, have reverted to their old ways! And still there are many who heard the Word, but neither took time to stay and ponder a while nor attempted to dig deeper. On the contrary, they chose to stick to easier paths or solutions or more familiar circumstances. Finally, there are those who are easily distracted by a shiny object. Instead of staying the course, they check out quite easily. In these current times of news at our finger tips, in small sound bites, or headlines, we expect the Word of God also to be delivered in brief headlines, fast and precise, GIFs and other media. We just take what we want and toss the rest. Beloved, the Word of God isn’t like that. It is a spring of Living water that never dries out. The longer we choose to stay and dig deeper, the better our satisfaction will be. Nothing will distract us. Nothing will snatch away. Nothing will sway us. It is up to us how and when we allow the Word of God to take root in us.