In His explanation for the meaning of His Parable of the Sower, Jesus said the following: 18. "Hear then the Parable of the Sower. 19. When any one hears the word of the Kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in his heart; this is what was sown along the path. 20. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21. yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. 22. As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the delight in riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23. As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the word and understands it; he indeed bears fruit, and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty." (Matthew 13:18-23 [RSV])
There is much that could be said about this parable, but I would like to focus on one particular aspect of it, and that being the rocky ground individuals. It seems rather ironic that with these individuals it is the arising of tribulations and persecutions that causes these people to fall away. Why is that? It certainly was no secret that disciples of Jesus were going to suffer persecution because Jesus told them openly in His Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 5:10 [RSV]). This was so important for His followers to know that of all the Beatitudes spoken in this chapter, this final one is the only one in which Jesus offered further elaboration, saying in verses 11 and 12 [RSV], 11. "Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account. 12. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in Heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you."
We know the Apostle took these words seriously because as we read in Acts 5:41 [RSV], the Apostles were found “rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name” after they were beaten by the religious leaders of the Jews for declaring Jesus to be the resurrected Savior. Later following his own conversion, the Apostle Paul wrote of his own persecutions, saying, “Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus” (Galatians 6:17 [RSV]). For a further disclosure of the suffering, tribulation and persecution Paul underwent for the cause of Christ please read 2 Corinthians 11.
“Blessed,” or happy, are those who will be persecuted for the sake of Jesus. So stated Jesus incontrovertibly. Why? Because as He tells us, their reward in Heaven will be great for all those who remain “faithful unto death.” It is they who will receive “the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).
There is much that could be said about this parable, but I would like to focus on one particular aspect of it, and that being the rocky ground individuals. It seems rather ironic that with these individuals it is the arising of tribulations and persecutions that causes these people to fall away. Why is that? It certainly was no secret that disciples of Jesus were going to suffer persecution because Jesus told them openly in His Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 5:10 [RSV]). This was so important for His followers to know that of all the Beatitudes spoken in this chapter, this final one is the only one in which Jesus offered further elaboration, saying in verses 11 and 12 [RSV], 11. "Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account. 12. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in Heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you."
We know the Apostle took these words seriously because as we read in Acts 5:41 [RSV], the Apostles were found “rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name” after they were beaten by the religious leaders of the Jews for declaring Jesus to be the resurrected Savior. Later following his own conversion, the Apostle Paul wrote of his own persecutions, saying, “Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus” (Galatians 6:17 [RSV]). For a further disclosure of the suffering, tribulation and persecution Paul underwent for the cause of Christ please read 2 Corinthians 11.
“Blessed,” or happy, are those who will be persecuted for the sake of Jesus. So stated Jesus incontrovertibly. Why? Because as He tells us, their reward in Heaven will be great for all those who remain “faithful unto death.” It is they who will receive “the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).
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