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Matthew 13:10 His disciples came and asked him, “Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?”
Within the Gospel of Matthew Chapters 1-12, Jesus spoke openly and plainly to the crowds. It is only now in Chapter 13 that Jesus begins teaching in parables. While the reasons for this aren’t fully known, we know that many Rabbi’s used parables. Similarly, the people Jesus is teaching here in Matthew 13 were very familiar with farming, so Jesus uses this parable as a way to speak the language of the people.
What would’ve made this particular parable memorable is that the people also would’ve known that an average harvest would yield about 7.5-10 fold of what was planted. Yielding a harvest of 30 times what was planted would be a tremendously good harvest. A harvest of 100 times what was planted may have been a once in a lifetime occurrence.
The meaning of this parable is simple: As followers of Jesus, we are called to live sacrificial and loving lives. We live the gospel each and every day. Some we interact with may not be “good soil” and will not respond well. But as we continually live out gospel principles, the overall harvest will be immense.
READING & PRAYERS:
MATTHEW 13:1-23 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)
QUESTION: In what way may Jesus be inviting you to live a loving and sacrificial life today?
REAL LIFE PRACTICE: Continue to live your life at the pace of your soul. Slow down in order to catch up to the pace in which God created you to live.
Take a Step: This week, continue to utilize the One Minute Pause app at least twice daily to begin practicing being with God and resting in His presence. The app is free, and is available on iPhone and Android devices. See pauseapp.com for details.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I confess there are many days in which I doubt I’m having any kind of significant impact on the world. I feel as if the harvest I’m seeing is average at best. Today’s reading has reminded me that my role is to plant seeds – to live a loving a sacrificial life. Continue to help me reflect Your love, grace, and mercy upon the broken world around me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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