Friday 27 July
Matthew 13:18-23
In many ways the parable of the sower is the key to understanding all the parables. Jesus’ explanation seeks to highlight the process that occurs within our minds as they connect with God’s word. We can consider Jesus’ explanation in the context of our own lives. How do we respond to God’s word?
The first problem God’s word can encounter is a mind that is hard and unreceptive, failing to understand. God’s word, if you like, rests only on the surface. It has failed to take root and can easily be erased or removed. Jesus identifies the evil one as the one who snatches it away. The word ‘snatch’ evokes the image of a thief or pickpocket going about his business. Jesus is saying that every time we read or hear God’s word a spiritual assault occurs, the purpose of which is to remove the truth from our minds. It’s gone even before we realize it. The masters of the spiritual life have always taught about the reality of spiritual warfare. We are cautioned to be alert, on guard and self-controlled (1 Pet. 5:8-9; Eph. 6:12) because there is a battle on for our minds (2 Cor. 2:11).
The second type of soil is rocky and the seed is unable to lay down roots. This can signify the times when we initially respond with joy, but then trouble and persecution overwhelm us and we quickly fall away. In order to fight the good fight we need to be rooted in our faith. Our first joy needs to be refined so we can embrace the troubles and difficulties of life. How do we establish a deeper and more stable foundation? We need to rest in God’s truth. God is sovereign and the Lord of our life. We can put down deeper roots in prayer and in reading his Word. In the midst of all our troubles we need to cling to the Lord.
The third type of soil is smothered and choked by thorns. They represent the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth. God knows that throughout the course of a day we are susceptible and vulnerable to numerous pressures which, like the thorns, can squeeze out God’s life. We need to be aware that our minds are a kind of war zone. The spiritual battle is not an imaginary game – Jesus told this parable to bring us in touch with a profound spiritual reality.
Jeremiah 3:14-17 • Jeremiah 31:10-13
Matthew 13:18-23
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