Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 - by Don Neuendorf
"A farmer went out to sow his seed..."
We just talked about this parable in our staff meeting. (I sure wish that all of you could be a part of our staff meetings, just for the devotion. We have great discussions.) And it occurred to us that when we read or preach on this parable we generally look at it as if it were a lesson about conversion, or about preaching, a description of the various "kinds" of people who hear the word.
But why would Jesus' listeners, seated along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, need a lecture about conversion? No, that's not what the topic was. Jesus was talking to them about...
...their OWN reception of his word. He had put out from the shore in a boat, and sat there teaching them many things about the kingdom of God, calling them to repentance and faith, and NOW he is challenging them. "So... how are you going to receive all these things?"
He is not telling them to look around at all the others and wonder what kind of soil these people are. We often do that, using this parable to explain people's response or lack of response to our preaching. But Jesus wants them to look at themselves and to resist the temptation to let the word bounce off of them like the hard path, or to let the world's cares choke it out. He wants them to hear the word and let it take root and grow.
That's what he is inviting them to do when he says, "He who has ears, let him hear."
"ARE YOU LISTENING???" is what Jesus is saying.
So... what about you? How deeply has Jesus' word taken root in you?