Image from stwilfridskirkby.org
Hear the devotional: https://bit.ly/3O5xLPz
View here: https://bit.ly/46FpYzg
1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.” 18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 NIV Bible)
How important is getting people to hear about God? It's a matter of life and death of the eternal kind. And what makes it more interesting is that some people believe that the day of people believing the Bible dwindle wtih each generation that gives up on studying it or sharing it with the new generation. Just today I read about a book that has several world religion leaders scared about the number of their particular brand of theology challenged by a new book that supposedly pulls back the covers off the truth in religion. One can only imagine the heart of Jesus as He told this story to all who would hear it. It was a large crowd that had gathered that day and He needed a boat to set Him in a situation where the large crowd could hear Him and what He had to say. The story of the day was about how human hearts either make room to hear about God or rejects it for various reasons.
The story is profound, but told in a simple way. "A farmer went out to sow his seed." Jesus already has used this to help people know that God is the farmer and His word is the "seed," that He is sowing. Jesus then has several illustrations about where this seed fell and the reaction to each.
The story says that some seed fell on the path where birds came and ate up the seed. This soil was representing those people with hardened hearts. Like the path itself, their hearts had become resistnat to the Word of God, calloused even, where the truth could not penetrate and take root, thus leaving the seed open to being eaten immediately by birds. This begs the question from us, are our hearts open and receptive to God, ready to receive the life-transforming power of God's word?
The seed also fell among rocky ground, where the initial reception is to yield sprouts but those without depth. Any challenge or opposition that may come, the faith quickly withers away. How can we prevent that? By developing deep roots through Bible study, prayer, fellowship, and worship; that allows God's word to penetrate beyond the surface and can anchor us in times of testing. This will produce good soil in us.
God knows that some of His word will fall upon thorns, or what we can say is preoccupation with worldly pursuits and worldly desires. These distractions can choke the growth of the seed which will prevent it from producing fruit. Our intention must be to identify and remove the thorns that can hinder our spiritual growth; God's roots need plenty of room in which to grow and flourish.
Finally, the seed fell among fertile soil which symbolizes those hearts who are open and receptive and fertile. The word is heart, understood and allows it to take roots deeply. These hearts are nurtured by the Holy Spirit, and so these hearts bear fruit, i.e, acts of love, righteousness, and transformation that glorify God and blesses others. These hearts produce an abundant harvest, which multiplies the impact of God's Word in their lives and the lives of those around them.
Again, we need to daily reflect on our hearts so that we can examine the condition of our hearts. Do we find we have hardened hearts, shallow heats, or crowded hearts filled with distractions? Or, do we find that our hearts are fertile, ready to receive and bear fruit from having been blessed by God's Word? Our aim should be to cultivate good soil by daily and humbly surrendering to God's work in our lives. We should nurture our faith with prayer, daily Bible study, and our intentional removal of those thorns that can and do hinder our spiritual growth. Our desire should be to have in us that fertile soil that will yield an awesome harvest for the glory of God. Let us surrender ourselves to God righ now and allow the transformation to begin.
PRAYER: Loving God, we are thankful for Your word which is a seed that brings life and transformation. May You guide us to humble and serious reflection and inspection of our hearts so that as we identify any areas where hindrances can occur. Grant to us receptive heats that will become fertile ground in which growth can occur; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord. YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Seek to be fertile soil today.
Receive my blessings of love and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
