He set us free so that the blessing that was given to Abraham would come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus. That way by faith we would receive the promised Holy Spirit.
The seed on rocky ground stands for those who hear the message and receive it with joy, but who have no roots. They believe for a while, but when they are tested, they fall away from the faith.
I know that my sickness was hard on you. But you weren’t mean to me, and you didn’t make fun of me. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God—as if I were Christ Jesus himself.