Take Root

After Pentecost (Proper 10 ) | Year A | Gospel reading Matthew 13:1-9, 18-13 | Mike Watts

Has anyone in your life ever tried to convey a message to you, but it never really took root in your mind? Have you ever struggled to fully grasp what someone was trying to tell you?

I believe we've all found ourselves in that situation at some point. Someone may attempt to explain an important idea to us, we hear and understand the message on a surface level, but it does not truly embeds itself in our hearts. I experienced this during my high school football days.Remembering my football plays was always a challenge for me. I don't naturally have a great memory, so I have to put in extra effort to remember things—even tasks I perform regularly to this day require reminders and studying to keep them rooted in my mind. My football coach emphasized the importance of memorizing the plays, explaining why I needed to know them and the repercussions of not knowing them. He made it clear that every player needed to remember the plays so they knew what to do on the field. If I didn't commit the plays to memory, I wouldn't be a starting player. I understood the message my coach conveyed.

However, I Started football later than my teammates. I was less experienced than them and knew it was unlikely that I would ever be a starting player. Because of that I didn't put much effort into memorizing the plays. Eventually, due to an injury, I found myself in a starting role, and it became evident that I did not have the plays memorized and I was woefully unprepared. So the coach replaced me with a less experienced player that had done the work and memorized the plays. I heard and understood my coach loud and clear, I comprehended the consequences of not taking memorization seriously, but I still didn't truly listen, and I continue to regret what could have been.

This principle also applies to our spiritual lives. When we attend church on Sundays and listen to the preacher deliver the word of God, different people respond in different ways. Some may hear it but not understand it, while others may understand it but fail to follow through. Finally, some truly hear and understand it, and they apply what they've learned to their lives.

Jesus illustrated this through the parable of the Sower found in Matthew Chapter 13:1-9:

On that day, Jesus went by the lake and a large crowd gathered around him. He spoke to them using parables, saying, "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he scattered the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear."

The parable's focus is the different types of terrain and what happens to the seed as falls on each one. We know that each type of terrain represents different kinds of people and the seed represents the word of God. This is what Jesus says about it:

"Listen then to what the parable of the Sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 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. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown."

We want all to hear the word of God, however, we also recognize that not everyone who hears it will accept, understand, or apply it in their daily lives. As Christians and followers of Christ, we can't simply attend church and listen to what the pastor has to say about God. We need to actively listen to the word of God, allowing it to take root in our hearts so we can apply it to our lives. This, in turn, enables us to spread the "seed" or word of God to others who might not have the chance to hear it otherwise. Merely attending church and considering it a box to check off as "good Christians" is insufficient.

To let God's word guide us, we must truly listen and allow the Holy Spirit to work within us, enabling the word to take root and comprehend its meaning. As Christians, we are all called to be proclaimers of the word, spreading the message of God and guiding others toward the kingdom. We are called to be God's hands and feet on Earth, but we can only fulfill this role if we ourselves allow the word to dwell within us.

Understanding God's word and discerning God's will for us may be challenging at times, but there are ways to invite God's word to take root in our hearts. It all begins with accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior, recognizing our need for Him in our lives. From there, we can start by engaging in daily prayer. Prayer doesn't have to be lengthy or focused on specific topics. God desires to hear from us because He desires a relationship with us. Prayer is how we communicate with God, and it's also how God communicates with us. Through prayer, we open ourselves up to the Holy Spirit, allowing God to fill us and grant us understanding of His word and His desires for us.

Engaging in devotionals and joining small groups or communities of fellow Christians and like-minded individuals can also aid in our spiritual journey. Not only does this draw us closer to God, but it also provides an opportunity to support and learn from one another, deepening our understanding of God's word.

Reading the Bible is of utmost importance in grasping God's message. Setting aside a portion of our day to read the Bible is the most direct and effective way to comprehend God's word because without reading it, we cannot truly understand it. While listening to the pastor's sermon on Sundays is beneficial, it is just a fraction of how God reaches us. To fully grasp His word, we must immerse ourselves in it and allow it to permeate our hearts.

Lastly, if we encounter difficulties in understanding a message or teaching, we can always seek guidance from our local pastor or church leaders. Not all pastors communicate in ways that resonate with everyone. We all have different learning styles and connect with different individuals, and that's perfectly fine. However, we cannot progress if we don't actively pursue understanding.

If we all strive to invite God into our lives, we can become vessels that radiate His image. We can become beacons for others, guiding them toward Christ and nurturing our own relationship with Him. By spreading the word of God with open minds and open hearts, we can make a difference in a world plagued by hatred, racism, and moral degradation. This is the most effective way to soften hardened hearts. God's word is meant for everyone because we are all creations of God, and He loves us, desiring all His children to hear His word. As long as we put forth effort, every living person has the ability to understand and benefit from God's word and love.