Deep Roots!
Jeremiah 17:5-8, Psalm 1, Luke 6:17-26
Rev. Kenneth M. Locke, Interim Pastor
Orchard Park Presbyterian Church; Carmel, IN
February 16, 2025; Sixth Sunday after Epiphany
When we think of Israel, most of us picture rugged terrain. Hills, scrub; not much water and not much growing. And much of Israel is that way, especially southern Israel.
But the farther north we go, the more arable the land. Crops grow in abundance. At the northern end of the country, it’s almost woods. Lots of water and lots of vegetation.
Jesus grew up in Nazareth, which is only about 70 miles from the northern tip of Israel. There would have been lots of farming, lots of woods and agriculture. Jesus would have understood our Old Testament lessons about trees planted by water. Would have made perfect sense to him.
But still, Jesus and the people around him would have had that historical memory of the wilderness. They would have sung the psalms about being planted by water. They would have heard the stories of the desert and wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. They would have understood analogies about shallow roots and being blown by the wind.
Jesus doesn’t say it this way, but in our Gospel lesson Jesus is warning his disciples, and us, about the dangers of shallow roots. And let’s face it – a lot of us have pretty shallow roots. We want the surface stuff, the easy water of wealth, fine restaurants, nice furniture and fancy computers. We want to be respected and admired. We want the good life!
But surface water – success, admiration, good jobs – leads to shallow roots. What happens when we lose our job or our home? What happens when that easy water dries up?
What happens to our tree when death, divorce or chronic illness strikes? What happens when the tornados of life blow through? If our roots are shallow, our tree falls. If our roots are shallow, our tree falls.
Being Jesus’ disciples is not for those with shallow roots. We need deep, deep roots. Being Jesus’ disciples means going down past the easy water of money, cars, retirement. Going down past the shallow water of the good life.
Being Jesus’ disciples means sinking our roots deep into God’s territory. It means sinking our roots deep into those areas where God is most active. Being one with those wondering where their next meal is coming from. Being one with immigrants fearing a knock on the door. Being one with those afraid of sharing their true sexuality.
Sinking our roots deep into God’s word and God’s love won’t prevent droughts, it won’t prevent storms. But when they come our tree will stand firm.
Of course, trees don’t get to decide where they’re planted. They have to make do with wherever they are.
But we do get to decide. We can find our place in an arid landscape of little water and little growth. We can walk with the wicked, stand with sinners, sit in the company of mockers. We can do that. Of course we can.
Or we can pick up and move and replant ourselves. We can plant ourselves where the water runs deep and free. We can make our home with the impoverished, the homeless, those pushed aside, ignored or abused by the powerful. We can choose to sink our roots deep and stand firm with God and God’s priorities.
My friends, let’s avoid the easy water. Let’s sink our roots deep and stand firm. Amen.
