Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 13That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. Verse 2Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. Verse 3And he told them many things in parables, saying: "Listen! A sower went out to sow. Verse 4And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Verse 5Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. Verse 6But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Verse 7Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Verse 8Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Verse 9Let anyone with ears listen!" Verse 18"Hear then the parable of the sower. Verse 19When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. Verse 20As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; Verse 21yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. Verse 22As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. Verse 23But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty."
Devotion
In this parable chapter of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus uses stories and daily realities to tell how God’s culture and values work. In the first nine verses he speaks of a prodigal sower who uses the common way of that time for seeding the soil. It is very unlike the sowing of seeds today, as farmers in sophisticated tractors with calibrated seeders scientifically insert the seed at proper depth. First century seeders wasted much seed. They broadcast it everywhere, which was precisely what Jesus was doing with his words. He spoke to a few who heard, some who were entertained, others who passed by, some who said “No” and others who said, “We hate you.” He just planted—and he wants his disciples to do likewise. We are all planters and we need to plant. Let us freely plant with our words and actions. Be prodigal with the news of God’s grace.
Prayer
Lord, it’s no small task to plant your seed in what we say and do in every aspect of our lives, yet you urge us to do so. Holy Spirit, inspire us and guide us as we go, sowing your seeds of grace. Amen.
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