Roots and Riddles
“and they have no firm root in themselves, but are only temporary; then, when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they fall away.” Mark 4:17
No Firm Root – Jesus is an Old Testament man. He is saturated in Scripture. And why not? Scripture, by its own admission, is truth (John 17:17). Scripture is the vehicle by which we understand God’s point of view. We would expect the Son to know it intimately.
That means that we should constantly be on the lookout for Old Testament themes and references in the teaching of Jesus. Wait! Did you think that Jesus introduced new thoughts about God and God’s purposes? Have you been seduced into thinking that the Christian Bible really begins in Matthew (and all that Old Testament stuff is just Jewish)? I tell you the truth. Jesus said nothing new. The message He brought is the same message that was delivered century after century to the nation of Israel. What Jesus did was make it visible in human form. But the lessons are very old. Jesus’ language reveals just how old the teaching really is.
Take these words, for example. In Greek, they are ou rhizan (no root). The Hebrew idea is found in Ezekiel 17:6-9. The imagery is the same. Plants wither, pulled up by the roots, because there is no obedience. What Ezekiel revealed to Israel, Jesus repeats to His audience. Unless there is deep commitment and consequent obedience, the plant dies. The seed sprouts, but its purpose is defeated. Affliction and persecution effectively destroy the plant. The joy that comes with hearing the truth is short-lived. There is no serious effort to be anchored to the character of God.
This is a very dangerous condition. It is far more damaging than the poor souls whom Satan robs of the word. These people hear the message and accept it with joy. But they don’t become disciples. They realize their need and hope for the best, but they are not willing to take up the cross and follow. The good news is good, but it isn’t transforming. The tragedy is that many of these people actually think they are in the kingdom. Why? Because at one point in their lives they heard the gospel message and rejoiced over it.
Our churches are filled with rootless pretenders. Oh, they’re quite sincere. They aren’t deliberately posing as Christians. They think they’re OK, but they haven’t allowed the word to transform them. They confine God to Sunday morning. Monday is just business. They pray when they need help. They use the name of Jesus; but nothing radically different results from their proclamation of belief. They haven’t moved house. As far as anyone is concerned, they are just better people (sometimes). They don’t want a gospel that demands a life of holiness. They are quite content with a God Who offers assistance and forgiveness when they feel the need to ask.
Jesus says that they are lost; tragically lost because they once heard the truth. Withered away. Living on some past moment of clarity. They aren’t going to make it – and they don’t even know it.
