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

Permissible

All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. 1 Cor:6:12 Everything is permissible. But not everything is beneficial. Let it not overpower you. You shall not be addicted to it. Definitely not the vice things. But the not so harmful things. The harmless habits. Things that you can, but would you? Does it edify you? Is it beneficial? 1 Cor:10:23 is the litmus test. Does it bring God glory? Ask yourself. Why do I want to do this? Does it bless me? Or will it take me farther away from God. Put your thoughts to what you do. Do not go with the trend. Just because others are doing. Just because of the hashtag. Just to be viral. Just to gain acceptance. Is it good? Is it profitable? Will I be mastered by it? Is it beneficial? Image credit: https://www.whoa.in/gallery/funny-men-wallpaper

Mere men - a prose

Are you not walking like mere men? 1 Cor:3:3 Why are you mere men, when you have the mind of Christ? Why are you running for the things of this world, when you have the mind of Christ? Why jealousy and envy, when you have the mind of Christ? Why the strife and unrest, when you have the mind of Christ? Why the faithlessness and unfaithfulness, when you have the mind of Christ? Mere men run around material things. Mere men look for earthly satisfaction. Mere men have shortsightedness rather than eternal heavenly perspective. Mere men think of finite goals. Yet you have the mind of Christ. Invest in the word of God and not fleshly motives. Invest in unceasing prayer. Invest in trusting and holding fast to Him. Not like mere men who have temporary goals. But you have the mind of Christ with an eternal mindset. Image credit: https://feedingonjesus.com/2019/05/07/never-lost-in-the-crowd-2/

To discipline

1 Cor:9:27 But I discipline my body and make it my slave. Self control is a discipline. A gift. A fruit. A quintessential quality for a disciplined, gifted and fruitful life. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self control in all things. To beat my body. To discipline literally means, to hit under the eye. To knock the body out, so that you may win. Regarding gluttony, lust, negative thoughts, anger, hatred, vengeful words. Have self control. Keep quiet when you need to. Say no, when you ought to. Keep the mouth shut, when you are supposed to. It is not just the willpower, but about grace too. Both are important for self control. If you don't have the will power ask for GRACE. Grace is always there. Seek grace, because it is made available always. It is just that once you are made aware of the need, you seek, you pursue. You might fall occasionally. But get up and start from scratch. It is worth it. Image courtesy: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/32...

Let it be....

Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? 1 Cor:6:7 Not that you would be wronged or defrauded. But it doesn't matter when you are wronged. Let it be. Let you be wronged. Let yourself be snatched from. Let yourself be misunderstood. Let you be blamed wrong. When you are affected, when it happens to you, that is self being dented. When others cheat you, if you are hurt then that is ego. You think, people think of you what you are actually not, why do you get affected. What does it cost you if others have a wrong opinion about you? Where is the attitude of Christ? Who was fully misunderstood, fully blamed wrongly. If I am sure of my identity in Christ i would never feel bad. He never misunderstands me. He never judges me. He knows me in and out. It is only His opinion that matters. Then let others wrong me. Christ took the freedom to let me go through this. Image credit: https://daily.wordreference.com/2025/07/17/intermediate-word-of-the-day-snatch/

Immorality rebuked

1 Cor:5:1-5 This is not something to be done away with. It is rebuked by Paul and he promises to deal with it the moment he comes. It is to be taken seriously. Well I don't commit such atrocities in my life. I am pure. If any one looks at a woman with lustful eyes, says Jesus in Matt:5:28, he has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Be it offline, or online. Or on the Billboards or posters or in reality. Be it in your fantasy or in actual world. God defines it as adultery. Period. It is something that has to be dealt seriously and drastically. It is not to be pushed under the carpet. Paul says, such man, he has to be handed over to satan, so his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord. Jesus, May my eyes be pure And my heart be set apart For you my only husband. Image credit: https://www.istockphoto.com/search/2/image-film?phrase=boy+computer+night&tracked_gsrp_landing=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.istockphoto.com%2Fphotos%2Fboy-computer-night

Sanctified

Sanctified in Christ Jesus. 1 Cor:1:2 Sanctified means made pure. Free from sin. Set apart. It is not just a declaration where God sees you as pure despite your filth. It is not a blind eye to your sin. It is purified by the spotless blood of Jesus. Who paid the penalty of my sin. No amount of good deeds can purify you and earn you this purity Former New York Mayor after shelling out his own 50M $ for gun control said I am going straight to heaven. People requote it, like it, share it again and retweet it.Thinking he is right. Sad to say, he is absolutely wrong. The only way to heaven is not your good deeds. Even if you spend 50M$. You can't buy your ticket to heaven. But only if you believe Jesus is God. And He came down to save you. Image credit: https://www.reddit.com/r/neoliberal/comments/evovxo/my_second_favorite_bloomberg_quote_of_all_time_3/

Crave - a poem

We would not crave evil things. 1Cor:10:6 Despite knowing His love unconditional to me. Despite knowing that it was my wretchedness That nailed Him to the cross. Why would I crave the very things He abhor? The very things my husband hate. I end up desiring, longing for This lover who gave His life and privileges for me. Him, I disappoint yet again. For it is the heart's motive that He looks for. It is the heart's desire that He looks into. What my heart longs for And who my lover yearns for? Selfish; idolator; immoral; gambler Dissatisfied; discontented; complainer. Adulterer in the heart. Murderer in the mind. Every thought in my heart, brings a teardrop in His eye. Why am I tuned like this? Why am I so fallen? Oh! Wretched man, that I am Who will deliver me from this hopelessness. The word "grace" is yet beautiful Favour when I don't deserve it. Difficult as I am, He still loves me. Improbable to be rectified; He still gives grace. He would transf...

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