“but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word” (v. 19)
The parable of the growing seed clearly teaches us that its not about our power its just God’s providence.
The disciples called him “Teacher”. In this chapter we see many of Jesus’ teachings. Though he did many miracles, Jesus focused on teaching to his disciples and to the crowd.
Is it the seed or the soil?First reading seems to point to the fact that the seed is the same but the soil is different. It is all about the soil. But it might be a bit superficial conclusion.
But on second reading, it is more obvious to me that it is not the soil per se but the seed that makes the difference. In fact, the answer may be the “depth of the seed”.
No matter the soil the seed has to go deep. The root of the matter is “the root”. How far has the gospel penetrated my heart? Has it taken root deep inside?
The fact that the disciples were questioning about this parable tells me that the seed is going deep. Every time they reflect on his parables, spent time with him in the thick and thin the seed is going deeper.
But others the message just falls on their ears ( first soil – Pharaisees), follow it a bit (the second soil – crowd) and even go seeming deeper among the disciples ( third soil). But the ultimate decisive factor seems to be the one who is spending time, questioning, understanding, trusting and loving the Word. Those have “deep lives” and develop the “ears”.
Even the wind and the waves obey him!.what a mighty God we serve
Jesus is the light of the world and his word of the kingdom is light. And because Jesus is the word, I think we can say that the lamp here is the word of God, just like the seed in the previous parable.When we hear God’s word, it brings light in our hearts. Jesus is telling us that we should not hide the light of his word. Instead, we should let it shine!!!! God wants us to receive his word in our hearts, allow the seed to be planted in good soil, but he also wants us to tell his word to everyone.
Psalm 119:105 says -Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. His word is a lamp that guides our steps. God’s grace not only lights up the darkness in our lives, but it also fills us with spiritual light, joy, and peace.
விதைக்கிறவன் உவமை: It explains me about different phases of life. Wayside seed: Life before spiritual birth. Stony ground, thorns and good ground are 3 phases within spiritual life. We have to pass through the hurdles and complete the phases to reach the final destination. We need to prepare our hearts to overcome each hurdle. Final certification we get from Jesus Christ which says ‘You are Mine’..Isaiah 43:1
Jonah’s ship travel and Jesus’s boat journey have many similarities. Jonah’s ship travel – I explained about my understanding, at TUCC when T.veli CSI Bhisop was present. I presented the same at my CSI church at Hosur as well, recently. The ship above water, I named it as அரசியல் and the ship under water (fish) as ஆன்மீகம்.The boat here in Mark, I relate it to a family. When we face an issue in our family we fail to realise Jesus is with us. We find Him sleep. If we believe Jesus is with us, we won’t be afraid. Wake Him up!
The “Word” is sown.
-How is our heart and mind? Does Satan have access to it? Is it Rocky? Is it Thorny? Or is it good soil?
-If our heart and mind are “not” good, the “Word” can still clean it, and heal it. All we need to do is hear the “Word” and accept the “Word”.
-The “Word” should be sown in our heart and mind. I don’t know how to explain it in a better word!
Let us be like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it and produce a crop, some 30, 60, and 100 times what was sown.
The sower soweth the word. Man can sow only by speaking word of God.
