Scripture: Matthew
13:1-9: That same day Jesus
went out of the house and sat beside the sea. And great crowds gathered about
him, so that he got into a boat and sat there; and the whole crowd stood on the
beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: "A sower went out
to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and
devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they had not much soil,
and immediately they sprang up, 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 upon 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. He who has ears, let him hear."
Meditation: Are you hungry for
God's word? Matthew tells us that Jesus taught many things to those who came to
listen and learn. Jesus' teaching method was a very simple one. He used
parables - short stories and images taken from everyday life to convey hidden
truths about the kingdom of God. Like a skillful artist, Jesus painted
evocative pictures with short and simple words. A good image can speak more
loudly and clearly than many words. Jesus used the ordinary everyday images of
life and nature to point to another order of reality - hidden, yet visible to
those who had "eyes to see" and "ears to hear". Jesus
communicated with pictures and stories, vivid illustrations which captured the
imaginations of his audience more powerfully than an abstract presentation
could. His parables are like buried treasure waiting to be discovered (Matthew 13:44).
Sowing seeds that take root and grow: What does the parable about seeds and roots say to us about the kingdom of God? Any farmer will attest to the importance of good soil for supplying nutrients for growth. And how does a plant get the necessary food and water it needs except by its roots?
Sowing seeds that take root and grow: What does the parable about seeds and roots say to us about the kingdom of God? Any farmer will attest to the importance of good soil for supplying nutrients for growth. And how does a plant get the necessary food and water it needs except by its roots?
The Scriptures
frequently use the image of fruit-bearing plants or trees to convey the
principle of spiritual life and death. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the
Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the
stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is
not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit (Jeremiah 17:7-8; see also Psalm 1:3).
How did this image of the parable reflect your life today?
How did this image of the parable reflect your life today?
How did you water the
gifts of God that has been set before you? – Family, friends, the work place?
