The Sower and the Seed

June 6, 2025 | Read and Think about Matthew 13:1-23

This parable illustrates how Jesus' teachings capture our minds and our imaginations.

We live in the 21st century, not the 1st. Many of us work in offices, in factories, in sales, or as service providers. While a good number of us grow plants and do gardening, fewer of us work as farmers and sow seed like we read about in the story.

Yet this parable speaks to us all. It is like being visitors at a museum, looking at this masterwork.

When we read of birds swooping to gobble up the seed on a hard path, is it not easy to form the picture in our minds?

And of the rocky, shallow places we read about, doesn't that again bring vivid pictures to the imagination of dry, withering leaves?

The restricting confinement of the thorn bush, isn't it easy for the mind's eye to see a plant starting to grow, but having its stalk, stem, and leaves punctured by the sharp, immovable points of its surroundings?

Finally, in the parable, we read of the one who hears the word of God, and it resonates with them. The Word attaches to the empty space in the soul perfectly made for it. And the Word turns into thought, then decisions, and actions.

What's the most vivid for you, right now? I know which is most vivid for me.

And I'm thankful that Jesus' use of the crop illustration is so vivid to describe what He really wants for us, the direction He wants our lives to take.

He sat in a boat 2000 years ago and told the parable to a very large crowd standing on the nearby shore. And how the story of the farmer and the seed continues to speak to us and provide needed guidance all these centuries later!

The 'Is Like' Parables -Part 2

June 5, 2025 | Read and Think About:

• Matthew 13:44-46

• Matthew 18:1-4

• 1 Corinthians 1:18-21

Today we have 3 short passages (11 verses), which are centered around Jesus telling two parables on what the Kingdom of Heaven is like.

In the parables themselves (Matthew 13:44-46), we notice at least 3 things:

First is the value and importance of entering the kingdom of heaven.  It is comparable to a treasure, or a pearl of great value.

Second is that the treasure and the pearl went undetected. And third is the one who found them made an exchange for something that was more valuable.

When the ‘treasure’ and the ‘pearl’ parables are put together, I asked 2 questions:

• What is the main point of the kingdom of heaven, the thing of tremendous value?

• What do the parables mean in saying this thing of great value was hidden, undetected, not noticed?

St. Paul's letter in the Bible sent to Corinthians as mentioned above provides some answers to both questions, I think.   

• The thing of tremendous value is that Jesus died on the cross so that anyone who places their faith in him could go to heaven. His earthly life and ministry culminating with his sacrifice is the foundation for the kingdom of heaven.

• The reason it may go “hidden,” undetected, and not noticed is that the value cannot be grasped coming at it from the wisdom of the world.  It's not that God placed it behind a curtain or hid it from people. 

It's more about what Paul's letter says, that what seems foolish is actually wise, and what seems wise is actually foolish – from God’s perspective.  This is underscored by the illustration Jesus used in Matthew 18, of having a little child come forward.  Like the child, a person with trusting, curious, and open eyes is better equipped to observe the thing of tremendous value.

Observing the good news is like a group of people at a museum, looking at masterful paintings of exquisite detail.  At that moment, what resonates with one person in the group may be different from what another person finds compelling.

In the “kingdom of heaven is like…“ parables, what elements stand out the most for you?  

What do these parables say about how God is working in the world and in your own life?

The 'Is Like' Parables -Part 1

June 4, 2025 | Read and Think About Matthew 13:31-35

Today’s passage is two short parables.

“Parable” is from the Greek word “parabole” which the Blue Letter Bible defines as a placement of two things next to each to illustrate their likeness and to teach a precept. 

Six times in Matthew 13, Jesus says, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like …”  as the lead-in to a parable.  Today we look at two of these. 

Here, Jesus is speaking to his disciples, who had come to Him privately to ask why He spoke to the people in parables.  The location was near the Sea of Galilee, in the north of Israel, where Jesus spent much of His time.

• In the first parable for today’s passage, a tiny seed grows into one of the largest of trees.   This process symbolizes the work of the Holy Spirit.  It starts with human activity – a person planting a seed in a field.  This symbolizes all the different influences a person can have on another to plant the seeds of faith.  As the Holy Spirit brings about the growth, the process is gradual.  While the difference is noticeable going from start to finish, it happens in smaller increments from day to day, like a tree growing.

  
  

• In the other parable, yeast is expanding throughout the dough as it is being made into bread.  How?  The parable tells us it happens through the actions of a person, kneading the dough.  This symbolizes the human activity of spreading God’s Word.  The woman’s hands are like the feet and the words of those who take the Word of God to others, whether it be across the globe or down the street.  This also is how the Kingdom of Heaven expands.

The Kingdom of Heaven is not a location to be found with coordinates. It is that place where people know the fullness of God's abundance by placing our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, as we look forward to eternal life with Him someday.

Taken together, the two parables from today say much about how the Christian faith spreads.  It is part mystery, unseen similar to how the tiny seed grows into a large tree. But also the result of purpose and mission and action.  The continued spread of His Kingdom on earth, happening over centuries, lets us join in the work with the Holy Spirit as we pray, “Thy will be done.”