A dry, withered tree reveals a root problem.
I enjoy planting trees. With each home over the years, I’ve planted many trees. Junipers. Japanese maples. Sago Palms. Leopold Cypress. There’s just something special about planting something and watching God perform His faithful growth miracle.
So you can imagine my disappointment to find one of my evergreens morphing from verdant green to pale green to tan to brown. When I first noticed it, I sprayed the recommended bug sprays, applied fertilizer, and pruned some of the dead branches. Sadly, my efforts were useless.
When removing it, I found the issue underground. Termites were eating the roots. No wonder my superficial, above-ground efforts were futile. I wasn’t addressing the root issue. But, rest assured, I immediately applied termite killer to save the surrounding trees.
This coincides with what the Bible says about several spiritual root issues.
Dead Roots
Jesus connected a person’s roots [inner core] with the fruits [behaviors, conduct] – “You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:15-20). We don’t expect blackberries from pine trees or peaches from thorn bushes. Roots always reveal the type of plant, bush, or tree. The same applies to people—character and conduct reveal their inner core.
- The wicked person’s “roots are dried out below, and his branch withers above” (Job 18:16).
- A hypocrite’s “roots wrap around the rock heap, and look for a place in the stones” (Job 8:17).
- Those who reject and despise God’s Word will have rotten roots (Isaiah 5:24).
- Genuine repentance happens at the roots; mere pruning a few unsavory habits won’t suffice. John the Baptist said, “The ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matthew 3:10)
- The love of money [greed, covetousness] is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10)
- Unless a “root of bitterness” is removed, it will produce full-grown trouble (Hebrews 12:15)
- False teachers are described as “late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots” (Jude 1:12)
Shallow Roots
Shallow roots are susceptible to disease, drought, and eventual death. Three of the four Gospel writers captured Jesus’ parable of the Sower and seeds.
In Matthew account, the seeds quickly sprang up but soon withered under the sun’s heat because they didn’t develop a root system embedded in deep, fertile soil (Matthew 13:6). Jesus said this symbolized those who quickly embrace Gospel truth, but soon fade away when faced with adversity (Matthew 13:21). They don’t endure because they haven’t deepened their spiritual roots in the truth of God’s Word and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Mark described a similar situation (Mark 4:6) where shallow roots sustain the plant for only a little while. Then, having “no root in themselves,” they wilt “when tribulation or persecution” comes their way (Mark 4:17).
Luke said the seed fell on a rocky place with a thin layer of soil. The soil’s reception of the seed symbolizes a person’s receptivity of God’s Word (Luke 8:6). Under this superficial layer of acceptance lies a rock-hard heart that refuses further penetration of God’s Word. Such people believe for a while, but in a time of testing, they fall away because they’ve developed no spiritual depth (Luke 8:13).
This encourages every Christ follower to allow God’s Word to deeply penetrate their hearts on a constant basis. While deep roots help trees grow tall, they also provide a strong base to withstand the storms of life.
Living Roots
The Bible also reveals many encouraging references to a Christ-follower’s roots.
- A righteous person who spends quality time reading, meditating, and incorporating God’s Word will be “like a tree planted by the rivers of water,” who bears fruit, doesn’t wither, and prospers (Psalm 1:1-3)
- The root of the righteous cannot be moved (Proverbs 12:3) and will always bear fruit (Proverbs 12:12)
- With Christ dwelling in their hearts, His followers are “rooted and grounded in love” (Ephesians 3:17)
- Christ-followers are “rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith” (Colossians 2:7)
- If the root is holy, so are the branches (Romans 11:16)
Christ followers anchor their hope and strength in God. The prophet Jeremiah explained this with an analogy of a tree that flourishes in the middle of a drought. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will it cease from yielding fruit” (Jeremiah 17:7-8).
Although dry seasons periodically parch our lives, Christ followers stretch their roots down deep to the pure and limitless Living Water. Jesus said, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me … out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37-38).
Messianic Root
There are even some incredible “root” verses that reference Jesus, the Messiah.
In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah foretold that Jesus would come from Jesse’s family. As King David’s father, this declared that Jesus would come from the royal line of David. The apostle Paul later confirmed it in the New Testament.
- “There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots” (Isaiah 11:1)
- “And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a banner to the people; for the Gentiles shall seek Him, and His resting place shall be glorious” (Isaiah 11:10)
- “And again, Isaiah says: ‘There shall be a root of Jesse; and He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, in Him the Gentiles shall hope’” (Romans 15:12)
Isaiah further foretold that this “Root” [Jesus, the Messiah] would die an excruciating death to make mankind’s reconciliation with God possible. In his heartbreaking yet amazing chapter 53, Isaiah identified Jesus as this suffering, sin-bearing, sacrificial Messiah.
- “For He [Jesus] shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground” (Isaiah 53:2)
Exalted Root
But there’s more to the story! This “Root” rose from the dead, ascended to God the Father, and now sits exalted in glory. In the apostle John’s vision on the Isle of Patmos, he saw and described Jesus in that glorious, heavenly realm.
- “So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. But one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals. And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne … stood a Lamb [Jesus] as though it had been slain … Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne” (Revelation 5:4-7).
Jesus later took the title in identifying Himself as the author who gave John his heavenly vision. “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16). It is Jesus, the divine Root, who closes out the last book of the Bible with “Surely I am coming quickly” (Revelation 22:20).
Summary
Who knew the Bible had so much “root” knowledge? Thank God for the seed of His Word, the germination of the Holy Spirit, His source of deep, everlasting water, and His provision to bear spiritual fruit!
Purchase Nate’s book, Called to Christlikeness, not Christianity here.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Nate Stevens.
Featured Image by PDPhotos from Pixabay
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