Thursday, March 28, 2024
47.0°F

Rev. Klockers: When our good soil becomes rocky ground

by Rev. Walter Klockers
| July 14, 2020 11:53 PM

Jesus gave the following commentary on the parable of the sower, where seed is cast liberally upon the ground. It lands on different surfaces: some on a pathway, others on rocky ground, a number among thorns, and a quantity upon good soil.

Matthew 13:18-33 – “Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

The portion I will highlight from the above is the seed that falls upon rocky soil. Even if we consider ourselves to be in “good soil,” we may all still experience elements of “the rocky ground,” to be tempted to fall away when we encounter challenges.

Unfortunately, some may regard following Jesus as if they’re somehow entering into a contract. This perceived agreement can be viewed as a guarantee of an easier lifestyle; we will avoid calamity and hardship as a result and prosper in all aspects of life.

This has always puzzled me. Why? Well, outside of a few examples (like the snippet about Jabez in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10), where does this idea come from? The vast majority of people highlighted in Scripture faced major challenges. As people of God, their lives were anything but a stroll in the park.

Here are some prominent examples: In the Old Testament, to be a prophet, speaking for God, would ultimately mean that you would be killed for doing so. If you were one of the closest disciples of Jesus, save one (John), you would eventually end up being hunted down and killed. Even the Apostle Paul was put into prison and executed. The seven churches mentioned in the book of Revelation were all undergoing severe persecution.

To be a believer and follower of Jesus certainly does not guarantee life on Easy Street. In fact, it may mean just the opposite. How is this so? Well, one may struggle mightily over the quandary of how a caring God allows bad things to happen.

What has been provided, however, is that Jesus fully understands suffering, pain, and death. Our God is not distant from what we experience. So, on those occasions when we need to cry out to God, there is a first-hand understanding and empathy.

We may still pray for deliverance. It may or may not be delivered in the manner we desire, but God does not abandon. God is always with us, even in the worst of times, whether we feel it or not.

Walter is pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Moses Lake and has served as parish pastor for more than 30 years.