January 29, 2013
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 13:36-43
OBSERVATIONS
Jesus is the good seed planter, and His followers (not the message but those who believe and live the message) are the good seed; the bad seed are the people who live for self and sin and “who do evil”.
God allows those who do good to live and mix with those who do evil, but He will separate them in the end.
God will ultimately get rid of those who refuse to give up selfish living, and will ultimately restore His good kingdom on earth, where those who joined Jesus in His kingdom mission by faith and good deeds will ‘shine like the sun’.
God is not cruel, God does not torture His victims; those who stubbornly refuse grace eventually get what they want, eternity without God.
I think of Gollum, who was so consumed by his greed and desire that he would not receive grace upon grace from Frodo; in the end he betrays Frodo and inherits the fire of doom.
What do you notice in this passage?
APPLICATION
There are only two options, or two kinds of seed (or two gates, Matthew 7:13-14); this matches how the bible elsewhere describes people either as the righteous or the wicked.
God knows who is who, and we need to resist categorizing (judging) people ourselves.
But you can get a good sense of a person (without knowing their final destination, only God knows that) by their fruit.
People will either lean towards selfishness (if that is what lives deepest in them) or towards selflessness (if the Spirit of God lives in them)… where does my heart and life lean?
If in the end, on judgment day, we ultimately get what we wanted, what do I really want as evidenced by what I pursue and prioritize in life?
I know what I want my life to represent, and I know what God is prompting me to lean towards; today again I choose to pursue goodness, and to prioritize kindness, for this is the good seed that God seeks, that Jesus plants!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, You have planted me where I am for one purpose, to represent You and Your goodness, to produce the fruit of goodness and love. Help me to move beyond just thinking about this, help me to start doing it, right now!
Observations:
Jesus spoke in parables – part of His show and tell ministry. Parables and miracles. And the best meaning or explanation of the parable is when Jesus Himself tells of the meaning as shown in this passage. What more has to be said?
Application:
‘Bloom’ where you are planted. Produce fruit – good fruit. A tree – a plant – is known by the fruit it produces. And that fruit can only come from good seeds. ‘The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree’ and so may I be ‘like Father, like son.’
Prayer:
May I continue Lord to have open ears so that I hear Your voice saying clearly, this is the Way. Walk in it.
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
I am looking, I am listening
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Help me to know Your will (repeat)
The right word to say,
the best move to make
Who’s in need of a helping hand
For Your perfect ways are worthy of praise
I delight just to do Your plan
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
I am looking, I am listening
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Help me to know Your will (repeat to beginning)
Help me to know Your will
Help me to know Your will