Matthew 13:3-9
A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.
I have always thought of the “someone” in each of Jesus’ explanations of this parable (as in someone who hears the word but…) as other people. One person hears the word with this result and another hears it with a different result. But when I recently heard this passage read, I began to hear about myself in each explanation and it was eye-opening. The focus of the parable shifted from someone to sometimes. Let’s start at the end and work backwards.
I like to think that my heart and mind are fertile, well-tilled soil where God’s word is sown, takes root, and thrives. I am constantly hearing new truths in old passages that I can embrace and make my own. I hear and act on God’s call to go and do. And I like to believe that such truths and actions bear good fruit for the kingdom.
But then there are situations where I hear a new truth or a word from God for my life and it takes root. But the thorns of my everyday life (schedules, priorities, realities) grow up around that new plant and eventually choke it out. I miss out on the gifts for me and for others because I don’t make the effort to help that word or calling to thrive and it eventually is overcome and fades away.
And then there are times when a word for my life rings true and I quickly embrace it; but, just as quickly, it becomes an inconvenient truth for me and my everyday and I never give it the chance to take root and become a reality. I know there have been opportunities to serve that I have considered and could have been fruitful but then they run up against MY will and MY vision for my life and they turn into an opportunity lost. Seeds on rocky places.
And how many times has God cried out “Samuel!! Samuel!!” Or, in my case, “Charlie!! Charlie!!” And my ears have just been closed to hearing his call. I know I will always be given new chances to hear what God is speaking for my life and my calling but right now I’m just not willing to listen. These are the seeds that fall along the path and never have a chance.
I have experienced each of these scenarios in my everyday spiritual walk. So it no longer is a matter of someone but for me becomes sometimes.
It takes will and work and perseverance to keep ourselves always ready to receive a new word or calling from God. But when we do, the harvest can be a hundred or sixty or thirty times what was sown.
Prayer:
Dear Father, the parables of Jesus are not just interesting stories meant for another audience and another time. As Jesus said, “Whoever has ears, let them hear.” Help me to read each one and ask, “What are you trying to say to me now?” Thank you for your relentless love and patience. Help us to always be ready to say, “Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening.” Amen.
This devotion was written and read by Charlie Barton.
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