Scripture:
Matthew 13:18-30 NKJV
[18] “Therefore hear the parable of the sower: [19] When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. [20] But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; [21] yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. [22] Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. [23] But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” [24] Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; [25] but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. [26] But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. [27] So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ [28] He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ [29] But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. [30] Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ ”
Observation:
I have been thinking about these scriptures for a week or two. For some reason I have put off writing them…maybe because I have written about them before several times and feel like being repetitive is somewhat redundant. However, redundancy can be good when it drives a point into our mind and allows it to take root as long as what is taking root is producing a crop for the kingdom. Which is what brought these scriptures to the forefront of my mind. So let’s dive into what exactly it is that is being said here. The parable of the seed sower is one of my favorites. Not because I know much about planting real seeds, but because I love the way it’s explained. This particular parable is in all three of the synaptic gospels, along with its explanation, and honestly that’s what I want to zero in on. In the explanation a key is given, in fact the key is given right out of the gate. In verse 19 Jesus says, “when anyone hears the word of the kingdom,” Now I know that’s not the entire verse, and I’m not trying to distort what is being said. I’m trying to open it up in our hearts. The word of the kingdom is the seed. In other words the bible, or at that point the words that were spoken by Jesus. I believe it’s important to know what the seed is. That’s what gives us an opportunity to either big in and try to understand it or just allow it to be snatched away. Just like the parable explains. HE says, “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed that is sown by the wayside. As Jesus explains this parable, HE is getting down to the heart of the matter, explaining that it’s a matter of the heart. The way HE describes the soil is rather important. Seed that begins to take root and withers away landing on rocky soil. The rocks do not allow the seed to take good roots, and when a mistake is made they give up and the seed produces nothing. Explaining this parable to us again is not really my desire so what I’m going to do is allow the scripture to speak for it’s and zero in on my point. You see after HE explains this parable. HE moves forward in verse 24 and dives a little deeper, you see understanding what the seed is is extremely important. It’s what allows us to determine whether or not we want it to take root. As HE continues to teach about seeds, HE explains another parable, talking about seeds still, and after exposing what exactly the seeds are. This is something I want to drive home as well. The seeds are words. Never forget that. Engrave it in your mind and heart. As HE continues to teach, HE tells about a farmer who sowed good seed in HIS field, but while HIS men slept, HIS enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. What Jesus is teaching is that there are lots of different seeds. Words that can produce good and words that can produce bad. Words that get sown in the light of the day and words that sneak in at night. Words from the kingdom and words from the enemy, and although the condition of the soil may be good for producing growth. The kind of seed that is allowed to take root is just as important. As the servants wake up and see the crop that has sprung up they see what has happened: bad seeds have taken root in good soil. The tares have taken root. As i take a good look here, seeing what is said by the farmer is important as well. As the servants start trying to figure out how to deal with this, asking if the tares need to be removed, the farmer explains that by removing the tares you can damage the wheat, let them grow. They will be separated at the harvest. Man there is so much that can be drawn from this. Focusing on the seeds today I hope that I can bring a message that will help us change our lives.
Application:
Over the years we allow lots of seeds to be planted. I know that in my life a lot of words have produced crops that I didn’t care to see fruit from. I can’t tell you how many times I have been told, “You’re going to be just like your dad.” Yep that seed took root. I made a lot of the same decision. Even after making a vow to never end up like him. I think the one that took the deepest root was a word given by a nineteen year old girl after I got out of prison. We had a very toxic relationship. Drugs were involved and therefore the relationship was based on toxicity to begin with. In the middle of an argument she told me that I was replaceable. Just typing those words brought all that pain back for a moment. They were seeds that I allowed to take root and produce a crop. For years they have determined the course of my life. But today as I begin to understand the word of GOD. I see that I can determine if the seed takes root or not. We can refuse to believe the negative garbage that people speak into our lives. Being careful who we allow to sow in our soil is the key. If you are around someone who is consistently running you down, that person is probably not good for you. I believe that we have a choice as to whether or not the words that are spoken to us take root or not. We also have the ability to speak life over those who GOD has placed in our lives. As i was typing a scripture came to my mind John chapter 6 and verse 68 and 69 says, “ but Simon Peter answered HIM, “LORD, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that you are the Christ, the son of the living GOD.” The words we need to allow to take root in our lives are the ones in the Bible. Those are the words that will produce the crop the kingdom is looking for. Today I refuse your negative words and you can expect your ability to sow into my life will be restricted. Saying that means that we have the choice over what seeds we sow into the lives of those around us as well. If you are the one sowing weeds, stop. You are speaking to one of GOD’S children. James says a saltwater stream can not produce fresh water. Take your tongue. Think before you speak and be careful who is sowing into your life. The Bible tells us to guard our hearts, It’s the soil that allows seeds to take root. Our words can build or break someone. I spent years believing what a girl said to me, and honestly living it out. The pain of those words still stings. But today I know that is not true. You can try to replace me. But I am HIS favorite… it doesn’t matter if you believe it because that’s the seed that has taken root in my heart and no one will snatch it away.
Prayer:
Father, I hope that today’s SOAP makes sense. I believe I have said what you have told me to. Today as we approach what you have in store for us, we pray that our words are the words that you have written on our hearts. Help us to be the light that you have placed in our hearts. We want to be a reflection of you. If our minds slid to the words that produce tares help us to redirect our thoughts to what you have said about us rather than the seeds that the enemy has sown. We want your kingdom to grow not only in our hearts but on this earth as well. Help us to sow the right seeds into the lives of those you have placed around us, and help us to reject the seeds that go against what you have said about us. Our faith is in the words of life that you have given us. You say we are free and who the SON sets free is free indeed. You say redeemed, you say more than a conquer, you say mighty warrior, you say overcomer, you say sons and daughters. Let those seeds set roots so deep that they are planted by a stream reaching down not to be affected by anything that happens. All we trust is your truth. That is our belt holding our armor together. We trust only what you have said about us. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.