Matthew 13:1-9
verse 7: Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.
Today I am seeing there are different ways to interpret this parable. One is that the seed is the Word of God or the Spirit, sent out to the people. Another is that we are like the seeds, scattered among others, telling the Good News. If I am like the seed, I may find myself in a hostile environment. Other people may try to inhibit my growth, like thorns choking out healthy plants. But there are also good strong plants which overcome weeds. They need to grow where they are, and so they do. Think of the beautiful wildflowers that take over a field otherwise full of weeds. Wherever God sets us down, we need to find the good soil and grow.
God of all creation, you have placed us all here for a reason. We all want to be the healthy plants which provide food and shelter for others. Help us to not be choked out by the weeds or dried up when rain is scarce. Help us to find good soil, which you always provide. Amen
Becky, transforming
pic by Kay
Matthew 13: 1-9 (parable of the 4 soils) Jesus tells of a farmer who sows seed randomly. Some seed falls on the path (wayside) with no soil, some on rocky ground with little soil, some on soil which contains thorns, and some on good soil. This parable explains the continual gradual process of spiritual growth among Christians by comparing us to the slow but certain growth of a seed. At what stage of growth am I. Would I sow seeds on a path, on rocks or among thorns. With any of these choices I would be at fault because I did not have the knowledge and understanding ,thus the wisdom that my sowing depended on the condition of the good soil where the seeds fell. The s…
Matthew 13:1-9
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.
Thinking about deep rooted faith, I can see how these verses may apply to me. It’s easy to get charged up during an inspiring sermon or a bible chapter or a good book, but after a while the inspiration fades and I return to my normal routine. This was truer during my working life. Now I am trying to dedicate more of my day to what is important, but life still gets in the way.
Dear Lord…
Matthew 13:1-9 The parable of the sower is familiar to many of us, but there are many ways to see and hear it. I can just picture the scene: Jesus in a boat on the shore because of the crowds that have come to hear him. As be begins to speak, he talks about soil and seeds. This parable was never really about soil or seeds, but what they represent. I think it is about what “soil” is in our hearts to be open to accept and try to understand God’s words and to then grow because of those words. I think so often my heart is too full of the cares of the world that it crowds out a c…
Matthew 13: 1-9
I know that in order to have a great garden it takes work and knowledge. We have to know about the seeds we are planting. We have to know what will grow in sandy soil, shade or rich organic soil. Sometimes no matter what we do the garden does not do well. We feel that we did everything correctly and yet the harvest was not what we had hoped for. Life is like this, we think we are doing everything correctly and yet we sin and fail. I often, if not daily, feel that no matter how much I have attempted to learn, I fall short. I let the business of everyday life intrude. The root system…
20201111 Tuesday, Daily Devotion - Matthew 13:1-9 (NIV)
9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
Everyone has ears. But Jesus said whoever has ears, listen to His Word. It means that it is not to listen to His Word by ears but by heart, mind, and soul. In other words, it means that even though we have ears, we might not listen to His Word, or even though we hear the sound of His voice, we might not take His Word seriously. This expression made me think about how well I am listening to His Word, how seriously I am planting His Word in my heart, mind, and soul.
Lord, I have ears and want to listen to Your Word…