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

Whom do you listen to?

Matt:11:18-19 John didn't spend his time eating and drinking. Whilst the Son of man feasts and drinks. Both were found fault by the society and labelled. Whatever you do, there would be people to criticise you and point fingers at you. But as long as you are I'm the center of God's plan and you are sure that you are pleasing God, then you need not bother. People even from your own fellowship, your own family may blame you for those decisions. Forget about the world who doesn't know your Master. But if you do, after putting in much prayer and take decisions in accordance with what God tells you to do, then why bother about what others have to say. As long as you are sure that it is from God you listen. John was bold enough to ask the society to repent not bothering about what they told about him. So was Jesus. He kept on doing what He had come to do. You are affected by what people say about you. Then you are some one who tries to perform before ...

Rest

Matt:11:28 Come to me all of you who are weak and carry heavy burdens, I will give you rest. Like John Bunyan's pilgrim, we too grope around with heavy baggages on our back. He has come to take away that heavy load and ease our souls. Jesus has come to give us rest. If only we would unleash the cords and give it over to Him. He will release us. For He has come to give us freedom. If only we would let Him. Such a bold and freedom ensuring statement only Jesus can make. For all the helpless. For all the tired and weak and weary. For all those who feel they are done with this life. Jesus promises unending rest. Image credit: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sleeping_lion.jpg

Balanced equation

Everyone who acknowledges me publicly, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven. Matt:10:32-33 The equation is very simple. If you acknowledge that you follow Jesus publicly here on earth; He will also acknowledged you before the Father in Heaven. The devil might lodge a claim that you are his. But the moment the Son of God acknowledges you, His righteousness, the Father sees in you and you are justified. But if you have denied Him in this earth. He will also deny you. Whether you accept it or not. This is the truth. Rom:10:9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Image credit: https://www.wikihow.com/Balance-Chemical-Equations

Wonders

Jesus did many wonders. 1. By demanding faith from the receiver's side. 2. Even without them asking. 3.He infact denied doing wonders and signs to prove His authority. He is Lord of all. He does all wonders and signs on His sovereignty. It is His choice. We can only ask for His intervention in our lives. We cannot demand for Him to work the way we want to run it. Who are we to demand? We should infact plead for Him to work the way He seems best. We don't know. But He knows. He being our Father, yet the Eternal Almighty God, He would do what is best for us only. We need to trust this. Image credit: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.christianity.com/wiki/jesus-christ/what-miracles-did-jesus-perform.html%3famp=1

Jesus is risen - a prose

So will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. Matt:12:40 History proven With ample evidence Adequate eyewitness All ready foresaid in the past. By prophets who didn't even know Him personally His own audacious claim. Testified by His own common men disciples Transformation of lives, even now Seen by people in reality. In fact many at one point. Documented in ancient literature. Proven by adequate research. Beyond doubt. Does it make sense to you? Or does it not? But Jesus' resurrection - is true in my life. I choose to believe. Your choice is your will. He lives now in heaven. Seated on the right hand side of the throne. He dwells in my heart. More than a friend, He is. More than a soulmate He is. Image credit: https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=risen+jesus

Parable of the fishing net

Matt:13:47-51 It was those fish who were caught up in the net that were sorted out. From that, the good were chosen and the bad were thrown out. There were other fish in the sea which were not caught. They are still in the sea. But those that were caught in the net, out of which the bad ones were thrown away. Those which show an affinity to the Gospel and still do not feel the need of a Saviour, who trusts on other means to save themselves, or those who do not pay much heed to it, are the ones who will be thrown away. For salvation, putting your trust in Jesus and receiving Him into your life is mandatory. No amount of church going, or word hearing will save you. When God looks at the fish, He looks not whether you are in the net or not. He only looks whether you are good or not. No one is good. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Only the righteousness which He imparts and imputes will make you good. Those that reject Christ and are in th...

Bask

How would you feel if after all the heavy input that you have given and the hard work you have done, the credit goes to someone else. It would be hurting and demeaning right? You deserved the appreciation, but all went to someone else who wasn't even in the picture. Even worse, Jesus would have felt, when He cast out demons, they were attributing it to satan instead of God's Spirit. A created being instead of the Creator Himself. The sworn in archenemy of God. A worthless being in comparison to the Almighty. How disappointing? God is not willing to share His glory with anyone else or anything else. Not because He is selfish or possessive. But because He alone is worthy. If it is given to any created being, even man, even yourself, it is disappointing. Glory belongs to God alone. Doing things for your own pride is like taking God's glory. How often have we done things and basked in the glory and appreciation that we would receive. We would say 'glory to Go...

The halfbaked Bard

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