Matthew 13:18-23

Matthew 13:18-23

Therefore, hear – you all – the parable of the one who sows.  While anyone hears the word of the kingdom and while not understanding, the evil one comes and snatches away that which has been sown in his heart.  This is that which was being sown over the road.  And that which has been sown upon the rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and the one who immediately receives it with joy.  Yet it does not have root in himself but rather it is temporary.  And after affliction or distress becomes because of the word he immediately stumbles.  And that which is sown into the thorny space, this is the one who hears the word and the concern of the world and the deception of wealth and it becomes unfruitful.  Ant that which is sown upon the good earth, this is the one who hears the word and who understands.  Indeed, he bears fruit and even produces a yield in one case a hundredfold, in another case sixtyfold, and in another case thirtyfold.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

There is a neat point to consider in Jesus’ explanation of the seed sown over the road.  Notice what Jesus says.  Anyone who hears while not understanding.  Jesus isn’t trying to insult the dumb or those who simply aren’t intellectually gifted.  He’s trying to send a message to those who are lazy!  If you hear and don’t understand, the natural conclusion is that you should ask a question about it!  So if you hear and you don’t go to the person sharing with you and ask for more understanding, shame on you!  Jesus is telling us that in such times we are doing nothing than giving Satan the time he needs to snatch away what we might have heard.  When we hear, do not understand, and do not take the time to understand, we get what we deserve and keep on failing to understand.

Have you ever been in a place where you heard but didn’t understand?  Did you seek understanding or let the opportunity pass you by?  Why would you occasionally let an opportunity pass you by?

Second Thought:

With respect to the seed of the rocky soil and the thorny soil, Jesus gives us two other common issues with coming to a relationship with the Father.  It is common for persecution to come.  It is common for us to have to make tough choices to follow the Father obediently or fall bake into the comfort of a self-centered world.  It is common for our goals to be shifted off of godliness and onto wealth or other joys in the world.  We can either be scared away from God or drawn away from God.  Jesus is telling us that there are many reasons that we do not grow closer to God when we have every opportunity to grow closer to Him.

When are you likely to be scared away from God or even persecuted because of your faith?  When are you likely to be drawn away from God by the lures of this world?  What can you do to help prevent either of these circumstances?

Third Thought:

Finally, we also get to the good soil.  Notice how Jesus characterizes the good soil.  All he says about it is that there is a production of fruit.  There is a yield.  Faith is passed on.  There is transmission of relationship with God.  Those are the terms that Jesus uses to describe the seed of the good soil.

Does your life have a yield?  Is there a transmission of faith from you into others around you?

Passage for Tomorrow: Matthew 13:24-27