Post by matthew on May 28, 2005 11:34:28 GMT -5
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “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. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop–a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9He who has ears, let him hear.”
Matthew 13:1-9 niv
When I think of that passage, and compare it with my own experiences, it really shows me how wise Jesus is and how he always spoke the truth. There is no one like Jesus who understands the human condition so well!
I used to look at that passage and always worry which one I was. Was I the seed that feel along the path and eat up by the birds; the seed that fell among the rocky places, which lacked soil; the seed that fell among the thorns and were choked; or the seed that fell on good soil, which grew and developed into a rich crop?
now I see that I am all those things.
We all struggle with these things.The first three are all part of the sinful nature and rooted in selfishness. When we put our interests above God's interests for us we will always fail. And without the Spirit this would be all we'd have. We would be without hope, and prisoners of our own fallen condition.
The first three types of behaviour are of ourselves, while the forth is of God. And in the forth example there is hope! Even though there is a constant battle with our sinful selves, the power of God's Spirit makes It possible to live not for ourselves only but for God and those around us.
Thank you Jesus for giving us this hope!!