6 Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture.
What makes an oak tree able to survive a serious drought? The answer lies in its roots. Such is the flourishing, abundant life of the Christian. One purpose of trials and test’s is to strengthen those roots so that we may increasingly demonstrate and prove the reality of our faith. What do we do when trials come our way? Do we bolt and run? Do we wither away and die? Is our allegiance to the Lord only valid when the sun is shining? May it never be! Much of life is made up of tribulations – that is the promise of Scripture:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33 (NIV)
Jesus tells us to expect these troubles and difficulties yet to cheer up because we serve the Victor! We are on the winning team! Christ is looking for disciples who will stand in the heat of adversity and not only stand, but flourish within it. James succinctly puts it this way: 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 (NIV)
I don’t know about you, but I desire to be mature and complete not lacking anything! Peter adds: 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:6-7 (NIV)
Jesus gives the meaning of our verse for today to His disciples later in this same chapter of Luke: 13 Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. Luke 8:13 (NIV)
The Word was given and received with joy – emotive exuberance permeated. As life progressed, as it always does, trials sans roots withered the vine on the branch. This does not mean that they lost their salvation for they had none to lose. I am reminded of the verse in James regarding reliance on our emotions alone: 18 But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder. James 2:18-19 (NIV) Emotions alone just qualify us for being a demon! We would do well not to give inordinate place to our feelings. Feelings come and go – waxing and waning with our circumstances. Our roots must go down deep into the “Living Water” in order for us to withstand the winds and torrents of life. Paul prays a wonderful prayer for the Ephesians regarding the strengthening of the saints. We would do well to pray this over our own lives as well as the lives of our families and friends:14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Eph 3:14-19 (NIV)
It takes more than emotional fervor to stand with Christ during crisis – we need to be rooted and grounded in His Word having donned the full armor of God: “So that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” Eph 6:13-18 (NIV)