Mensa Otabil - Some Fell On Stony Places
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We’re still examining the parable of the sower, focusing on Matthew chapter 13, verses 5 and 6. Some seed fell on stony places where there was not much earth, and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up, they were scorched, and because they had no root, they withered away. Jesus spoke about the second kind of soil on which the seed fell, describing it as stony or rocky. This doesn’t mean the land was purely rock; it means there was soil and earth, but just beneath it lay rock.
So, when observed, it appears to be very good soil. However, underneath, there is rock, resulting in no depth of soil for the seed that falls on it. When the seed falls, it has enough to germinate, enough to spring up, and enough to grow, but eventually, it cannot grow because it lacks depth; it cannot shoot its roots deep and does not survive. Jesus identifies a couple of factors affecting this kind of plant in a rocky area. The first factor is the scorching sun. Typically, the sun is beneficial to plants; it aids in the process of photosynthesis, helping plants to produce food and grow stronger. In this parable, Jesus indicates that the sun represents trials and persecutions, which are not meant to destroy the plant or our lives. But without depth, what God has designed to mature us and make us better may end up harming us—not because what comes our way is bad, but because we lack roots and depth.
The passage states that the stony soil is shallow, representing Christians who come to Christ, hear His word, but allow the word of God to apply only to a small area of their lives. It’s like most people who follow Jesus; they do so because of the miracles and healings, all the good things happening. But when Jesus wanted them to know Him better, they were unwilling and left. Many people come to God, pleased with His promises to heal, prosper, and bless them, but they don’t apply the word of God for endurance, perseverance, and standing strong in temptation or trial. When hardship arises, there’s no depth in them. The word of God must not be limited to a small area of our lives; don’t just say, «Oh, I only believe God for salvation, or I only believe God for healing, or I only want God to prosper me.»
God wants to do more than that for you, and He desires for His word to soak deeply into our hearts and be implanted there so that our entire lives are governed by the word of God. When we achieve that, we grow roots, and with roots, we can draw on the nutrients that God provides in His word to help us flourish. If we do not want to be the stony-hearted person, we should allow the word of God to break the stoniness and stubbornness of our hearts and let it take deep roots within us. In doing so, nothing in life will shake us—no trial, temptation, stress, or persecution—because we have roots and depth. Let us pray. Say with me, «Heavenly Father, help me to cultivate a deeper relationship with You. Plant Your word deep in my heart. In Jesus' name, Amen.» I’ll be with you again tomorrow; I’m Pastor Mensa Otabil. Shalom, peace, and life to you.