In today's devotional, Jesus teaches the people using parables or stories. Parables instead of simply quoting scriptures are relatable and helped those listening to both remember what was shared and the lessons intended.
In the parable of the sower for example, a farmer sows seeds on 4 types of soils; a footpath, a rocky soil, a thorny soil, and the good soil. Jesus said each of these soils represented people and how they received the word.
“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Matthew 13:18-23 NIV.
The footpath is a place where people are coming and going, it represents something that is common to everyone; culture, traditions, etc. This soil represents those who put what they are doing on the footpath ahead of receiving the word of God, becauseof this, they are unproductive.
The rocky soil represents those who have never bothered themselves cultivating a relationship with God and as such their roots do not go deep, they have no depths in God and do not know him. Jesus says they fall away quickly whenever they have to stand for their faith.
The thorny soil represents those who received the word but have added something extra to it; money, fame, ambition, etc. are competing with the allegiance to the word so that they are unable to give themselves wholly to God.
The good soil represents those who are totally sold in, they not only hear the word, they put the word into practise and cultivate a healthy relationship with God. Jesus says they will be fruitful.
Jesus also used several parables in this one chapter to illustrate how the kingdom of God will come at the end of the ages; the parables of the weeds, the mustard seed and yeast, the hidden treasure and pearl, and the parable of fishermen sorting their nets all represent how it will be at the coming of the kingdom; there will be a separation between the good and evil.
In the parable of the hidden treasure and the pearl Jesus said that the man and the merchant who found the treasure and pearl did everything to acquire them.
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it." Matthew 13:44-46 NIV.
The hidden treasure, the pearl represent the kingdom of God. To us it will mean to be willing to give everything to serve the Lord of the kingdom.
I pray for you today that will be productive with the word. I pray grace to give your all to God rest upon you in Jesus' name.
