Scripture to Read: Luke 8:13
Jesus continued to explain His parable to the disciples so they would understand the sower, the seed, and the soil. God had Luke record what Jesus said next in Luke 8:13, “Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away.” These are people who initially claim to have surrendered to Christ, but, as Jesus said, they have no root. Their lives were never transformed by the saving power of our Lord. It is like those who claim to be converted, they prayed a prayer, raised their hand, walked forward in church, but six weeks later, or even six months later, we can’t find them. They “fall away” because they were never grounded in Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit. As Jesus said in Luke 8:6, “it withered away, because it had no moisture.” The “moisture” ties into the work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus spoke of this in John 7:37–39, “Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’ 39 But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” The Holy Spirit nourishes a believer spiritually just as water is essential for physical life.
Challenge & Application
What was the problem with those who received the Word with initial excitement but had no root?
Why is the Holy Spirit essential to salvation and how does He nourish us as we walk with our Lord?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!