Mark 4:16-17

“These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble.”

Mark 4:16-17

The second soil in this parable of the sower seems promising. The seed is planted and immediately it is received with gladness and it sprouts. But the ground, or heart, that it is sowed in is full of rocks. Preventing the seed from putting down roots. 

Jesus says this is someone who hears the gospel and seems to believe, but when persecution comes for His sake, they immediately stumble.

We must put roots down if we are to survive. A tree is not easily pulled up from the ground because of its roots. The deeper the better. Our roots must go down deep into God’s Word if we are to stand in the midst of tribulation or persecution. We must be assured of what God says if we are to live and die by it. 

Putting down roots, 

David Reeves