My Faith Journey
Read Matthew 13:1-23
“But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty” (Matthew 13:23).
The Process from Seed to Fruit
For seeds to germinate, they must receive the right conditions. Key among these is water, which allows imbibition to occur. During this process, the seed's outer coat softens, activating enzymes inside that trigger growth. The embryonic root, or radicle, forms and anchors the plant, beginning to absorb nutrients from the soil. Only once the roots are established does the shoot emerge. As it breaks through the soil, the plant begins photosynthesis, using sunlight to produce its own food. From there, the plant continues to grow and thrive.
Am I a Spectator or a Student?
Many are attached to Jesus and would want to be associated with Him. As a spectator, it does not matter what is being preach, I am there to witness and comment on events, determine if I enjoy myself. There is minimum retention of what I hear. As a student, I am there to learn, to seek clarification and to embrace teaching. I seek to improve myself by learning and putting God’s word into practice.
Do I Listen and Ask?
Jesus spoke many parables to the crowd (v.3). After listening, the crowd dispersed. The disciples were curious and asked about the meaning of these parables. Jesus described the revealing of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven to those who ask (v.11). It gives a deeper appreciation of Spiritual truth in our walk with God.
Do I Apply the Word of God I my Life?
The four types of ground that the seeds were sowed, represented the following:
The seed that fall on the road is like the one who hears the word of the kingdom, and choose not to understand it. The seeds did not germinate, allowing the devil to steal it away from them (v.19)
The seed that fall among the rocks is like the one who received the Word with joy, causing the seed to germinate, and roots established. However, unresolved past hurts cause him to build a strong defensive wall, preventing the Word of God from taking deep root in their hearts. When troubles and suffering arise because of the Word, he gives up and fall away (v. 20-21).
The seed that fell among thorns represent those who hears the Word and try to live by it, with roots establishing and shoots emerging. However, the worldly distractions; the cares of this life, and the love for money, are like thorns that choke the seed, preventing it from growing and bearing fruits (v.22).
The seed which fell on good ground is like the one who hears the Word, examine it to gain understanding. As the root is established and the shoot mature, much grains begin to form. Some seed gives one hundred times, some gives sixty times, some gives thirty times as much grain.(v.23)
Prayer
Teach me Lord, to receive your Word with gladness of heart. Help me walk in your Righteousness. Let me echo Jeremiah 15:16 that your Word were found, and I ate them, and your Word become to me a joy and delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts. Amen.
Matthew 13:1-23
The Parable of the Sower
13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, 6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears, let him hear.”
The Purpose of the Parables
10 Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” 11 And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says:
“You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
15 For this people's heart has grown dull,
and with their ears they can barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed,
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and turn, and I would heal them.’16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 17 For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.
The Parable of the Sower Explained
18 “Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”