Matthew 13:1-9 begins with the parable of the sower. The sower goes out and starts throwing seed with the hope of producing grain in it due season. The seed, however, falls on four different types of ground and a different result happens depending on the ground it falls on. Do you remember which was which?
Seeds that fell along the path: birds came and devoured it.
Seeds that fell on rock ground, where there wasn't much soil: they sprouted really well, but, having no depth of root, when the sun came out it scorched them and they withered away.
Seeds that fell among thorns: The thorns grew up and choked them.
Seeds that fell on good soil: Grew to produce grain - 100, 50, and 30 times the amount of good seed.
So what? I'm not a farmer and I don't care about producing seed. It doesn't matter to me how the sower sows his seed. Thankfully, Jesus wanted his disciples to learn and understand the parable so he explained each of the seed examples to His disciples. (Matt 13:18-23)
Seeds that fell along the path: Those who heard the word of the kingdom, but do not understand. The evil one comes and snatches them away.
Seeds that fell on rock ground, where there wasn't much soil: Those who hear the word and receive it with joy, but, having no root in himself, so when tribulation or persecution on account of the word comes along, he falls away.
Seeds that fell among thorns: the one who hears the word, but the cares of this world and the deceit of riches chokes the word out and this one is unfruitful.
Seeds that fell on good soil: the one who hears the word and understands it. This one will bear fruit for the kingdom.
I don't know about you, but the third one hits me like a ton of bricks. Not money really, but the idea of having a nice house for my family, of life being good and easy for my family, are really enticing things. Not that my family won't have those things, but if that is my focus, then I'm not really absorbing the Word of God and I won't be fruitful.
How about you (Rhetorical)? Where do you land on this list? Maybe you don't know yet. That's OK. Don't confuse being immature in the faith and needing to grow for being unfruitful. At the same time, don't ignore a lack of fruitfulness in your life. (This is not a good measuring stick for looking at other people. This is, however, a good measuring stick for looking at your own life. Don't assume this means "results" though. Remember, the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, etc. and there are other passages with similar lists. Read God's Word and then see if you are a fruitful disciple.)
To God be the glory.
Seeds that fell along the path: birds came and devoured it.
Seeds that fell on rock ground, where there wasn't much soil: they sprouted really well, but, having no depth of root, when the sun came out it scorched them and they withered away.
Seeds that fell among thorns: The thorns grew up and choked them.
Seeds that fell on good soil: Grew to produce grain - 100, 50, and 30 times the amount of good seed.
So what? I'm not a farmer and I don't care about producing seed. It doesn't matter to me how the sower sows his seed. Thankfully, Jesus wanted his disciples to learn and understand the parable so he explained each of the seed examples to His disciples. (Matt 13:18-23)
Seeds that fell along the path: Those who heard the word of the kingdom, but do not understand. The evil one comes and snatches them away.
Seeds that fell on rock ground, where there wasn't much soil: Those who hear the word and receive it with joy, but, having no root in himself, so when tribulation or persecution on account of the word comes along, he falls away.
Seeds that fell among thorns: the one who hears the word, but the cares of this world and the deceit of riches chokes the word out and this one is unfruitful.
Seeds that fell on good soil: the one who hears the word and understands it. This one will bear fruit for the kingdom.
I don't know about you, but the third one hits me like a ton of bricks. Not money really, but the idea of having a nice house for my family, of life being good and easy for my family, are really enticing things. Not that my family won't have those things, but if that is my focus, then I'm not really absorbing the Word of God and I won't be fruitful.
How about you (Rhetorical)? Where do you land on this list? Maybe you don't know yet. That's OK. Don't confuse being immature in the faith and needing to grow for being unfruitful. At the same time, don't ignore a lack of fruitfulness in your life. (This is not a good measuring stick for looking at other people. This is, however, a good measuring stick for looking at your own life. Don't assume this means "results" though. Remember, the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, etc. and there are other passages with similar lists. Read God's Word and then see if you are a fruitful disciple.)
To God be the glory.
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