Putting down roots...

Matthew 13: 1-23; Mark 4: 1-25; Luke 8: 4-18

Matthew 13: 18

¹⁸ ‘Hear then the parable of the sower….’

Have you ever felt that you don’t understand the word of God, that since becoming a follower of Jesus you haven’t really put into practice what you’re struggling to learn and that trouble seems to stalk you? Most of us would admit to these experiences from time to time. It’s a dangerous place to be and Jesus advises us that we won’t survive as followers of Him unless we make a series of important choices to protect our discipleship. Firstly, Jesus advises that we find out what the word of God actually means and demonstrate that knowledge by putting it into practice. This can be achieved by being a participant in a community of followers that teach, explain and apply the word of God in everyday life. The teachings of Jesus need to become normative practices in the life of His followers. Secondly, by putting down roots in a community that practices and not only teaches what it means to be a disciple allows us to draw on and give support to the community of disciples; we step back from relapsing into self-destructive habits. We witness and become witnesses that following Jesus actually works and we can grow in confidence by observing others model discipleship practice.  Thirdly, putting the word of God into practice and being part of a committed community of disciples gives us resilience in times of trouble and stress and it keeps us focussed on the new possibilities of life;  meeting our needs individually and communally the way God created us for them to be met. Being a follower of Jesus is an individual responsibility but a communal practice. To be ‘good soil’ means actively seeking to understand and practice in community the teachings of Jesus. Trouble will come, persecution may come but being part of a Christ centred community will be the source of strength we need to live as authentic followers of Jesus. This is Jesus answer to the question, the story He told to answer it, the symbols He deployed and the practices He taught.