Jenifer Metzger

This week I have been reading Jesus' parables in the Gospels.  One of my favorite parables is that of the farmer scattering seeds.

“'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, so that they did not bear grain.  Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.'” Mark 4:3-8

What exactly does this mean?  After all, I am not a farmer and I would imagine that the majority of you are not either.  So what does it mean for us?  Jesus explains.

“'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

The one that always strikes me is the seed that falls among the thorns.  Jesus describes this as someone who hears the Word, but the worries of life and deceitfulness of wealth choke the Word.  We can say that is not us.  We hear the Word and apply it.  We understand it. 

But when unexpected bills come, do we really deep down worry just a tiny bit?  We are being choked.  When someone close to us experiences health problems do we worry and fear for them?  We are being choked.  When our marriage is on the rocks do we fear that it has come to an end or we are no longer loved or have any worth?  We are being choked.  Life will not always be roses, but we can always rest in Him.  We can still find joy in Him. 

I want to be that fertile ground.  When I hear God, see God and experience God, I want to be ready and willing to accept Him.  Ready to dig deeper and let Him grow in me.  Am I always this, no.  But I desire to be. 

Father, help me not to be choked by the stresses of life.  Help me to remember that You are always there and will never leave me.  Help me to be that fertile ground, readying and waiting for You.  Amen. 

Sweet Blessings~



 Linking with:
Soli Deo Gloria
On Your Heart Tuesday

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