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DEVOTIONAL
OPENING PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ, pour out your spirit upon your church so that she may faithfully and constantly serve you and your children. In the name of Christ. AMEN.
INTRODUCTION
For the next several weeks we are going to read several parables about seeds, weeds, sowing and the Kingdom of God. We begin with the Parable of the Sower. Parables can be hard to complex to understand. Fortunately, Jesus tells us the meaning to his parable. Let’s read the scripture.
SCRIPTURE LESSON
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 NIV
The Parable of the Sower
13 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.”
REFLECTION
Verse 8 is the first “punch line” in this parable. No seed, even in the most perfect of a farmers field ever produces a crop, “a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.” This is the point of confusion for the disciples.
Thankfully Jesus explains all about the seeds and soils, the rocks and the thorns. Then we hear the call and the promise in verse 23. “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.”
Hearing the word of God and understanding the word of God are the key to being a disciple “yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (23b). As disciples of Jesus, we must be attentive to hear the word of God in Bible study, reading, meditation, reflection and in worship. Understanding requires inquiry, intention, reflection, application and trial. A 20-minute sermon once a week is insufficient. That is seed being cast on hard ground. For the seed to find the rich good soil of our lives we must constantly be opening our lives to receive the word of God. That is when we have the opportunity to yield a bountiful harvest for God. Do you truly have ears to hear the word of God? It is not the word you will ever expect, but is the word that will bless and change your life.
CLOSING PRAYER
May grace, mercy, love and peace flow through your life and ministry all the day long. AMEN.
Blessings,
Pastor Tom
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