Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the lake. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: ‘Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears listen!’
‘Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.’
Reflection
The seed always feeds. The seed feeds in each of the situations, it's just what happens with the person that the seeds feeds after receiving the seed that makes all of the difference.
Jesus has come to us. There is no doubt that Jesus has come into this world and brought his Word with him. God has come to people even before Jesus came into this world in flesh. God has been in this world from the beginning and so has God's Word. Right from the start God's Word set all that we know into place and into action.
This parable, told by Jesus, relates the Word to the seed thrown. And the Word feeds everyone. The Word always feeds. The Word feeds those who hear and don't understand. The Word feeds those who hear and respond joyously but don't take the Word to heart when persecution happens, as persecution always will occur in life. The Word feeds those who live in the midst of sin but the sinfulness overcomes them. And finally the Word feeds those who are fortunate enough to be in a place or situation that they can hear and understand the Word and bear much fruit. In each case the seed always feeds.
Remembering that the Word is also referred to as Jesus in the Word made flesh that dwells among us... and thinking about how the seed is related to the Word or yes, even Jesus in this passage... I realize that no matter what my situation in life has been... on the path or on the rocky ground or among the thorns or even in the rich soil... Jesus has always been there to feed me and sustain me and give me all the chances I could ever desire to walk with him... on the path... on the rocky ground... through the thorns... and in the rich soil.
Yes, Jesus has always fed me in whatever circumstance of life I have found myself. But the question becomes... In all of those times and situations, did I stop and listen and think about what God would have me do? Did I stop and take heed and receive the Word and permit the Word to feed me and nourish me? Or did I just think of myself and my own sinfulness and my own way of solving the situation that I found myself in at the time?
Jesus always feeds us. Do we stop and listen? Do we pause and take it in? Do we seek to do his will in each and every place of life? I'm sure not. At least not for me. I wish I could say that yes, I did stop and listen all of the time but that wouldn't be true.
Jesus was sent into this world not only to save us from our sin but to also feed us. We are granted a freedom to choose what we eat. But this one thing stands true... God's Word... the seed... Jesus... always feeds us.
I think it's time to stop, pause, listen... in whatever situation life has presented you or me... and take and eat... for this is Jesus' body and blood... the bread and the wine... given and shed for you and for all people.
The Seed always feeds us. Thanks be to God!
Song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74z71SgPoKM
Prayer
Lord, in all the situations of life that I find myself; help me to stop and pause and listen and feed upon the seed of your Word in my life that I may please you and do your will... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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