You cannot separate fools from their
foolishness, even though you grind them like grain with mortar and pestle. Proverbs
27:22
Fools beware! Our court system is full of
fools—people making poor choices. What are they to do? Their choices and
actions have gotten them into trouble…and now if proven guilty, they must face
the consequences. Receive their justice. Jesus had to go through at least three
trials…but He was innocent. He had friends…family…that He was protecting—for
whom He was taking the blame. He was no fool, although He may have looked
foolish to the Romans, was despised by most of the Pharisees, and became the
scape goat for the general Jewish public. Crucify him! They shouted. Were they
the fools? The harvest of souls was just beginning.
This is time to plant—spring. As people gathered around Him, Jesus told
many stories in the form of parables, such as this one:
"Listen! A farmer went out to plant
some seeds. As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a
footpath, and the birds came and ate them. Other seeds fell on shallow soil
with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow.
But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn't have deep
roots, they died. Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the
tender plants. Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop
that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!
Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand." Matthew
13:3-9.
Later He explained this parable to His
disciples.
The seed that fell on the footpath
represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don't understand
it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in
their hearts. The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message
and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don't have deep roots, they
don't last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted
for believing God's word. The seed that fell among the thorns represents those
who hear God's word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the
worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. The seed
that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God's
word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as
had been planted!" Matthew 13:19-23.
Jesus spoke to His disciples about harvesting…harvesting
souls. He said to his disciples,
"The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is
in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields." Matthew
9:37-38. Are you a worker?
Prayer
~ Lord, in the hearts and lives of those around us may we plant the seed of the
truth of the Gospel—of You as our risen savior. As the harvest continues may
all of our families, friends and neighbors be included as those who truly hear,
understand, and apply Your word to their lives.
© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT)
unless otherwise noted.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm
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