The parable of the farmer scattering the seed

Matt:13:1-23

First set of seeds fell on the foot path - those that heard but did not understand. In fact did not want to understand. It is about these people that Jesus earlier said in v:12 - but for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. And in v:15

For the hearts of these people is hardened

And their ears cannot hear

And they have closed their eyes

So their eyes cannot see

And their ears cannot hear

And their hearts cannot understand

They cannot turn to me

And let me heal them.

They don't want to. They don't desire. They prefer the other ways over the One way Jesus Christ. What happens to them? Immediately the devil will come and snatch the seed sown not allowing it to sprout. I hope none of us are in this category.

The second set of seeds fell on shallow ground. It just sprouted but couldn't cast the roots deep because the soil was shallow. And as soon as problems and persecutions come, they wither because they are not rooted deep in the word. The mere abscence of problems or material blessings is their priority. Financial security and healing is their driving force. Once that is taken away, they dwindle.

The third set of seeds fell among the thorns. These also sprouted but were choked by the thorns surrounding them, which is nothing but the alluring wealth and worries of the world. Their minds are fully crowded by these thoughts that they don't have time for the word. They listen to it casually, they are impressed by it. But they allow the other things to take root deeper in them. They feed on those things more than the word. So the word has no space to grow in their lives.

Blessed are the fertile soil on which the seed fell. The harvest was plenty - 30 times, 60 times and 100 times. Why? The soil was already ploughed, broken down, washed and well watered. Adequate manure and fertilisers added and then the seed was sown. Prepare your hearts and wait with expectancy for the word working in you. It will push you out of your comfort zones, but the yield will be beautiful.

Let those who have an ear, let them hear.

Image credit: https://www.gospelimages.com/paintings/99/the-parable-of-the-sower?

Comments

Jehovah yeshmor

But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength. 2Tim:4:17 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom 2Tim:4:18 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress My God in whom I trust. Surely He will save you from the fowler's snare And from the deadly pestilence He will cover you with His feathers And under His wings you will find refuge His faithfulness will be your shield and your rampart Ps:91:2-4 As the mountains surround Jerusalem So the Lord surrounds His people both now and forevermore Ps:125:2 And I myself will be a wall of fire around it, declares the Lord. Zech:2:5 The Lord will protect you. He will guard you. He will be your shield. Jehovah yeshmor. Do not be afraid of anything under the sun. For He the Sovereign ruler is our Father. Image credit: https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=%22wall+of+fire%22

Big brother - a prose

Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. Heb:2:11 A big brother Tempted in every way that I am Yet without sin A big brother who suffered in every way when tempted Therefore able to help us all Who are being tempted. A big brother who understands fully What I go through A big brother who is there With me till the end of days. A big brother who is faithful to the dot A big brother who promised To go to His Father's house And arrange a place for me And has promised to come back To take me home Jesus my big brother The assurance it brings The source of the peace that passeth all understanding Amen, Lord Jesus; I trust Image credit: https://www.stocksy.com/photo/812114/two-brothers-holding-hands-walking-on-an-autumnal-forest-road

why fear

Saved

Tit:3:5 He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. No matter how many times I think about this, I am all the more overwhelmed each time. There is no monotony. This is no jargon. There is no monochromatism in it. That I am saved not because of my righteous deeds, but by His mercy. Not because I deserved it, but He chose to. Mercy is infact not giving me what I deserved . And what did I deserve? I deserved only eternal hell; eternal damnation and eternal separation from my loving Father. Because I rebelled, for the Scripture says, the wages of sin is death. God doesn't hold a scale to weigh out my good and bad deeds. He doesn't see whether I was better. He doesn't see whether I am better than my darker side to decide on my salvation. He doesn't compare me with my brother to decide on whether I can be redeemed. All my righteous deeds are like filthy rags before Him. When He looks at me - I am an object of wrath. I am...

Cleanse

If a man cleansed himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy and useful for the Master and prepared to do any good work. Flee from the evil desires of the youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace. 2Tim:2:21-22 Cleanse yourself from ignoble things and set yourself apart for noble things. Why concentrate on the evil desires of the youth when you have more richer things to pursue - like righteousness, faith, love and peace. Make yourself useful for the Master in the way you can; concentrating on being holy and doing things for the Kingdom. Why waste your time and energy in useless browsing, meaningless chatter and harmful quarrels. Pursue godly things. Unless you feed yourself with godly things, there is no pursuing noble things. If you feed yourself with ignoble things you will persist to pursue ignoble uselss things. Image courtesy: https://www.merriam-webster.com/grammar/clean-vs-cleanse-difference-usage

Blabber

Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it, will become more and more ungodly. 2Tim:2:16 Refraining from harsh painful words, that hurt others is a godly advise. Here is a step further. Useless, harmless, godless chatter will make you more and more ungodly. Unnecessary loose talk will take you nowhere. Talk with a purpose always. Use words, what you really mean. Have a discussion which is worth it. Your words, let it reflect who you are - a child of God. An ambassador of God. Royal priesthood. Heir of God. Talk like a prince, not as a commoner. Do not blabber. Be men and women of substance - by having a solid content in your words. Talk to each other about things which do really matter. But for that you need to have that content in your heart.

Ignore

Heb:2:3 How shall we escape if we ignore such great a salvation? If violation and disobedience of a command of the angels produced just punishment, how much more if we ignore the salvation offered by the Son. Jesus being superior to the angels. He being the Son of God. Therefore pay careful attention. So that we do not drift away. If the world seems more meaningful to you; if logicality and science means more rational to you; if the big bang is more impactful for you, then be aware. Be careful. Beware. If the world and its ways seems more attractive to you; if you are more enamored by the world than the Word, then be aware. Be careful. Beware. If the Word doesn't excite you much; if the church doesn't give you excitement; if praying is boredom for you, then be aware. Be careful. Beware. If it is only a myth; if the Son is not real to you, then be aware. Be careful. Beware. If even after knowing this great salvation, you drift away, then be aware. Be careful. Beware....

The halfbaked Bard

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