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Hear the devotional here: https://anchor.fm/eradio-valverde/episodes/The-Parable-of-the-Church-Goer-e1p346m
1 After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. 4 While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: 5 “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. 6 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” (Luke 18:1-8 New International Version Bible)
The majority of Jesus' ministry took place outside the established Church. Judaism is very much a home-based expression of faith, with many of the rituals and expressions of that faith practiced inside the home and away from the temple or synagogue. The major holy celebrations and feasts are meant for corporate celebration inside the walls of the church. The passage shares how Jesus went from town to town, preaching on the good news of the Kingdom of God. The disciples were with Him as were some women who had been delivered of evil spirits and illnesses. We are introduced to Mary Magdalene, who, Luke says, had seven demons removed from her. For those of you who watched The Chosen, the tv drama about Jesus, will remember the incredible transformation that she underwent from pre-demon possession to post-demon possession. I believe the portrayal of that was pretty close to the truth. Also, present was Joanna, who was the wife of Herod's household manager for Herod the king. And with a large crowd gathered, Jesus delivers His Parable of the Sower.
The Church attacts all sorts of people. None of them perfect, but most have been touched or redeemed by the grace of God. They come in all shapes and sizes, hues and colors, backgrounds and pedigrees. Some come with wants and needs; others just come. Habit or tradition; but don't get me wrong, they're in the right place for something special to happen. If you're hungry and walk into a restaurant, chances are you might get fed. But, again, don't get me wrong, going to church isn't always about you getting fed. I'll make it clearer; church isn't about you. It's about God and whatever God is up to in your life. (And most of what He's up to could be happening outside the church!) In this passage, Jesus knew from His experience of preaching the good news, how some people receive the gospel and how some do not. Jesus knew that whenever people gather for worship and learning, these things do actually happen.
Jesus speaks first about this sower sowing seed, which fell upon the path, where it was trampled on and the birds ate that up. Some seed fell among rocky ground, and when it tried to blossom, it couldn't for it lacked the soil in which to take root. Some seeds fell among thorns and when it grew, it was choked by the thorns. Still, some fell on good soil and that came up and yielded a crop, "A hundred times more than was sown." Jesus concludes with, "Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear." Jesus knew His audience, and even now. The first seek could be compared to those who come to worship and hear teachings about God, but their attention is always on the little screen of their smart phone. No seed can penetrate a closed mind, or a mind concentrating on something else. Others come and focus on the worries they brought in from home or work or school. They don't listen as they should, and so they let their worries stress them. The other seed that God would plant in our hearts has to share room with the temptations and attractions of the world and soon the outside influences win out over whatever God has tried to share. Then there are those who come with sincere hearts with genuine needs that feed on what God shares and so they listen, receive, and produce fruit for they take what they learned and share it with others, and they share it with others, and soon, as Jesus said, the crop is far more than was initially sown because folks who share blessings bless others and so the kingdom grows in that way. If this has spoken to you, take heed.
PRAYER: Loving God of the Harvest, share Your word with us all, and let us receive it with joy and wisdom; let us not keep it to ourselves, but let us lovingly share it with many, to grow the kingdom; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Share a word of good news witih those who need to hear it!
Receive my blessings of joy and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
Dear friends, again I thank you for your understanding. Nellie and I were out-of-town yesterday and our Sunday night grew long and we went to sleep as soon as we got to the room, and this morning at 3 am we got up to make our way to the airport. I shall attempt to catch up so that my teachers and librarians can hear this devotional! God bless you all!
