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"Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth. 6But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away." Mark 4:5-6 NKJV
Continuing with our study of the Sower, let's look at the next stumbling block:
Stony ground. I don't know if you have ever tried to sow seed on stony or rocky ground, and hoped for a harvest. It is extremely difficult. The ground is hard and it's like working with concrete. The chance of success is marginal.
This was the problem here. Jesus spoke of sowing seed on stony ground. To do this, one finds there is little soil and so the seed is sown in shallow ground. The harvest may be quick, if at all. However, the plant is short lived because there is no significant root for it to obtain the nutrients
it requires to be able to survive. Therefore, the plant soon shrivels up and dies.
Again, Jesus speaks metaphorically, looking at the heart of the hearer. Most people receive the Word of God with great joy and gladness. It is so easy to be carried along with other worshippers when they are praising God. Sadly, for these people, they have no root and before they realise it, Satan comes and snatches the Word away. They may hang on to the Word for a short while, but when troubles come along, they fall.
We're looking at stony ground and stony hearts here. If there is no root within the believer, because of its shallow existence, the fire of the Holy Spirit is extinguished very quickly. Commitment fails when some people face opposition or problems. This is the hallmark of the superficial believer. A person's faith is only as strong as their willingness to identify with Jesus. This is how Paul was able to say 'I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life that I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.' Galatians 2:20
The only difference between us and Paul, was that he was sold out for God; nothing else mattered except living for Him. Thus, he avoided stony ground.
If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now:
Lord Jesus, I have sinned
I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today. In Jesus' Name. Amen'
Copyright 2024 Grahame Howard.
dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com
If you would like to contact me, grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk
Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers
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