“And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear,” Matthew 13:4-9, KJV.
By the way side: Later in this chapter of Matthew, Jesus clarifies what He meant in the above parable, yet many still don’t hear, hence the meaning of the very parable He shares. Falling by the way side is a person void of understanding, lacking that ability to hear God’s voice. Remember, “My sheep hear my voice,” and in chapter 5 He tells us, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” He blesses those who diligently seek Him. But if we don’t diligently seek Him, the enemy takes away that which was sown. Consider many who go to church, week in and week out, yet have the same understanding (or lack thereof) of God. The preacher, pastor, teacher, minister, “sows” a seed into them, but it was never really received so the enemy had the open door in their lives to take which was planted.
Upon stony places: Jesus explains that there are those with no root in which the Word can grow. These are those that shout with joy at the word, but when trials and tribulations come they abandon the teachings given to them. As soon as a rough patch or terrible situation arises, the stony place people try to take things into their own hands instead of trusting God. Now, I’m not speaking of those who ask the Lord for guidance through their situation, this is in reference to those who do away with biblical principles. Those who may say, “I tried the Bible and it doesn’t work. I tried tithing and it does nothing for me. I do the right things, but I’m better off on the streets.”
Among thorns: Jesus tells about seeds that fall here are also those who hear the Word, yet riches are more important. This I relate to those who “sell out” because the money or clout appears to be more profitable. The glitz and glamour of earth means more. The very place where He tells us not to store our treasures upon yields no fruit because the greed chokes the Word out from them.
Into good ground: Good ground is soil that is willing and ready to receive. This is where cultivation has occurred as the ground has been tilled and prepared. These are those who hear the Word, receive it, and apply it to their lives. This ground protects the seed, soaking up rain from heaven which allows it to grow.
When God’s Word is sown, how will you receive?
1 comment:
I think this is one of the elements missing from our society. So many people today seek everything but God first. They either don’t seek God at all or they look for Him as an after thought. I think that you should literally seek God first by praying to Him when you first wake up in the morning then reading His work directly after that. We must make God our priority if we look for His blessings, guidance, and strength in our life. Then we must apply everything we learn to our life. One of the greatest ways to honor God is to live a life that is holy and acceptable in His eyes. “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight O’ Lord” Psalms 19:14. This is clearly written in 2 Corinthians 7: 14 “ If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
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