Matthew 13:1-9 NIV
13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by
the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him
that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the
shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables,
saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the
seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places,
where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was
shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants
were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among
thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on
good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what
was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When
anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the
evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the
seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears
the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since
they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution
comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed
falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries
of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it
unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears
the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a
hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
Abundant Fields
This was an intense
teaching time in the ministry of Jesus. His teaching continued on His way from
a house to a location by the Sea of Galilee. Here in this passage Jesus’
teaching is moving from a private location into a public location. Jesus was an
excellent teacher with an eternal message that transcends time and space,
calling us, in this place, to listen to Him, and listen carefully.
So, as Jesus draws a
crowd, He takes advantage of the location of a boat in the Sea. In a boat,
Jesus becomes the sole focal point. This is a wonderful way to focus the
crowd’s attention on Jesus, the teacher and the speaker. This is an important
teaching lesson that Jesus wants ALL to hear… even for us today.
Think about all of the
times that God teaches His people either from the shore, or facing the water,
or in the water. Think, even now, about your own baptism, or even the baptism
of someone else, as you observe. There is teaching by the waters all of the
time. So, once again, God uses an earthly element, like water, combined with the
Word, to lead people to see His presence with them. This earthly element and
Word spoken, especially by Jesus, leads us forth and through to the gifts God
develops in each of us through His Holy Spirit. Always pay attention to how God
comes to us, in flesh and blood, upon this earth with His Spirit. God IS
present in such circumstances. Here, as well, Jesus will teach us a truth from
the water, as we observe from the shore.
So, yea! Gather
together, for a sermon from Jesus. Gather together in churches now, and all
over, to hear the Word spoken through the pastor, lay-person, or priest. Gather
together to hear the Word of God. It’s important that we gather together. Don’t
take attending church lightly. Gather together often, and listen, and see
Jesus.
Now, let’s think about
parables. Parables were common teaching methods in the Jewish community of the
day. Parables were used to reveal Truth, in and through earthly examples.
There’s that earthly element stuff sneaking into the teaching. So, perk up as Jesus
teaches eternal truths, with earthly elemental examples. God speaks in and
through His Word, combined with earthly elements. Think baptism and communion,
where water combined with a Word and a Promise, jumps a new disciple into life
through the Holy Spirit. Think bread and wine, in with and under the body and
blood of Jesus, that draws us into Jesus’ real presence, and His gift of
forgiveness and salvation. All of these move us close to God. See, they move us
close to God. God is the one moving us towards Him. God always comes to us.
There is nothing that I can do that will allow me to move into God’s presence.
I’m not worthy of that. But thanks be to God, that He moves to me, and draws me
in. That’s some love!
So, next we jump into
the parable. I’m interested in the earthly people and the earthly elements
right away. We have the sower, seed, differing kind of paths, soil or at least
the depth of soil, growing or not growing plants, and first off, some birds.
I’m at this point, not
really thinking about who represents what. I would rather think about the point
of the message, than reflect on who or what represents what. I’m listening, in
this instance for the message. Will I get it? I don’t know, but I’m listening.
Now it moves from birds
to the sun. It seems like something is always acting on the seeds to prevent
growth. Makes me wonder what acts on me in my life to prevent growth,
especially when I think of my life in relationship to God. I know that my
sinfulness, and the deception of the evil of this world, draws me away from
God, acts upon me and turns me around, in directions that I should not go. But
I need God to turn me around from my selfish ways, to see and live in His
goodness.
The thorns of my
sinfulness overwhelm me, and choke out my love for God, and for neighbor. As I
read, and reread this parable of Jesus, it’s obvious that there are dangers in
my everyday living, drawing my attention away from God. Jesus is really
pointing out why I need Him, in this teaching.
In the finality of it
all, Jesus draws me back to some good soil. And there is that God coming to us
again. God comes to us, even in the midst of the birds, the scorching sun, the
rocks and the thorns of this life to bring us to Him. This action of God, even
in the actions of the sower, seems to draw me into Him. Teach me and guide me I pray, Lord Jesus!
As Jesus explains His
parable, He draws us in. He draws us in to think deeply about His message.
Jesus uses an agricultural theme, because that was common work for the people
to which He was speaking. On the surface that seems elementary. But it’s not.
Jesus is using something common, to highlight something deep in meaning.
Something deep in meaning that has an eternal truth.
Jesus is teaching about
the Kingdom of God. Now, Jesus takes us from what we know in earthly occupations,
and earthly elements, and draws us to His Spiritual Kingdom in eternity. In
some ways Jesus is drawing us out from this world to another world in which He
has always dwelt. Yet, even at that, Jesus not only dwells in the Heavenly
realm, He has come to live with us, in this earthly realm as well.
Here we learn from Jesus
about the Spiritual warfare in the evils that are tempting us away from God.
Satan’s lies are real. Satan’s temptations are constantly teasing us away from
the eternal relationship that God has given us, to believe something else. And
that something else moves us away from God, and into the realm of evil lies.
It’s a battle for your soul, for your relationship with God, for your
allegiance to God, or to Satan.
You most likely, in your
life, hear God’s Word spoken or presented by the Bible or the words of friends
or relatives. And when the True Word is given, you most likely, will accept
that Word, or deny that Word.
How you respond to the
love of God freely given to you, and how you respond to the lies of Satan,
makes all the difference. Throughout time, and even throughout life, my life
included, I, we, have taken God’s Word and responded in various ways. Sometimes
it lights a fire of passion in life. Sometimes the Word places a fear in life.
Sometimes the Word makes me run in fear.
As the Word is tossed
out into our lives, our response matters. Here Jesus warns us of the various
ways in which we will respond. And our response to God’s Word matters. Our
response and our willingness to be obedient to God, as we see what He has done,
matters.
As we see God’s action,
we begin to realize, this life is about what God has given. God gives us all we
need to live. To live here, and to live into eternity, with God in His Kingdom.
As this parable is
taught, we are to listen for the Truth coming through it. The Truth is that God
seeks us out, and wants us to live with Him forever.
But we easily are
deceived by this world, and the desires of living in this world. Remember last
week’s message of how we are to look beyond? Jesus draws us from the earthly
elements of this world, to teach us a heavenly message. Not only through our
baptism, or our receiving Him in Holy Communion, but in our everyday lives as
well. Jesus draws us to Him, even in our lives of today.
And Jesus has a way of
walking right into our daily lives, our daily beings and into our heart, to
live with us and in us, as we live with Him, and in Him.
Listen to the words of
the parable, with your eyes focused on what we know, in this earth, and what is
revealed to you beyond this world, into heavenly union with God, and one
another. Listen and listen deeply. Take the time. For as we listen closely to
the parables of Jesus, He is drawing out a response from us that will produce
the fruitful fields of abundant grain and life, not only here, but in heaven as
well.
Water my life, Lord,
that my only thought is to respond in obedience, and joy, to what You do, and
have done. Draw me away from myself, as You come to me.
Lord God, thank You for
filling this earth with Your love, and with the Words of Jesus. For You lead us
from what we can see, here and now, to You into eternity. Thank You!
So, dear Lord, may I
live, not by the spirit of my flesh, the desires that I have for the here and
now; may I rather live by the spirit that you implant in me. May my life be a
response to you, and not a life that responds to my carnal desires and sins.
What a tall ask this is, but as You came to earth in the flesh and blood of
Jesus, to experience what I experience, I know that Your presence is ever
before me. Your presence to lead and guide me, here in this place, with you by
my side, to be with You in Your Kingdom in eternity, all through the love,
mercy, forgiveness, and power of Jesus, my Savior.
Focus on Jesus. Focus on
His Words. Focus on Him in a boat, in the midst of the waters. Focus on Jesus’
call. Join your life, here and now, in this earthly world, to Him, SO THAT, you
may see beyond the sower, the seeds, the birds, the soil, the sun and whatever
else exists upon this planet, that, we may see in Jesus’ eyes, and hear in
Jesus’ words, an eternal nature, and an eternal relationship that He alone can
offer; to be with Him in His Kingdom… today… tomorrow… and forever. Thanks be
to God!
I leave you with this
YouTube Music Video that reminds me of the love of God as we walk in Fields of
Gold…
“Fields of Gold” by
Sting
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