Dear Hope family,

Thought for the Week

Parable: Seed in rocky soil!

Matthew 13v5 “Some fell on rocky places where it did not have much soil.”

How deep has the Word of God gone in your life? Has it established firm roots in you?

Today we consider the second part of the parable of the farmer sowing his seed. The whole text relating to this part is:

“ ⁵ Some [seed] 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.  …   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.”

Jesus is saying it is possible for people to make an issue positive response to the gospel, but to then fall away. It applies generally to believers too. We can hear God’s Word, respond initially to it, but then later lose faith.

For a plant to withstand the weather – whether sun or storm – it needs good roots. Here’s the question as we reflect on this verse: are there rocks in my life which are stopping the Word from really going deep? Maybe there are some elements of God’s Word that I resist because I am concerned about the implications. Do you find that your relationship with God is impacted by circumstances? Maybe there are rocks that need to be removed or crushed into soil to allow God’s Word to go deeper in you.

Holy Spirit, help us to identify the rocks in our lives that are preventing your Word penetrating fully. May God enable us to remove them and may your Word go deep.

With love and blessing,

Roland