ESOCS Devotional 28 September 2022
TEXT: MATTHEW 13:10-23
MEMORY VERSE: “But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding an hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Matthew 13:23 NIV
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
The gospel of Jesus Christ is the greatest and best news that ever came to mankind. Blessed are the ears that hear the good news, and the eyes that witness the fruitfulness of the message of salvation. The disciples of Jesus were blessed, because they were honest and sincere in their hearts to follow His teachings, (Matthew 13:16, 17; John 20:19).
Jesus likened His word ministry to the parable of the sower, as we see in our text. In this parable, a farmer went out to sow his crops. As he scattered the seed in the field, some fell along the walk way or wayside, and the birds ate them up. Some fell on rocky ground, where there was little soil. The seed soon died for lack of deep soil. Some others fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked the plants. However, some of the seed fell on good ground and flourished.
This parable portrays four categories of hearts that receive the word of God. The first category represents the hearts of those who are croocade, jealous and full of pride. Such persons hardly appreciate the teachings concerning the Kingdom. They are ever biased (Matthew 5:3-12). The second category represent those who quickly and easily receive the word of God. They are easily converted. However, their commitment to the Lord never develops properly (Luke 14:25-35). Their dedication to service remains on the surface. Because they lack depth, they easily fall away following a little persecution, (James 1:23-26). The third category represent those who genuinely receive the word of God. They grow fast too. But the love of the things of the world and desire to have wealth is stronger in their lives than their love of God, (Matthew 19:23, Luke 21:34, 1 Timothy 6:9, 10, 17). Once their thinking is beclouded with concerns over the things of the world, they tend to get mixed up with the materialistic ways of the world. The fourth category represent the honest and good heart (Luke 8:15). These ones earnestly desire and seek the truth of the gospel. Because they are willing hearers and learners, they grab the truth, and subsequently, bring forth good fruit in life.
As ministers of the word, it is important we understand that there are so many out there who are seeking to hear the gospel of truth (Acts 18:8-10). With this at the back of our mind, we will be driven to preach the gospel, without fear or favour. There are many good hearts who are willing to obey. Let’s continue to give them the opportunity.
CHALLENGES: Should we stop preaching because they will not listen?
PRAYER POINTS: Lord Jesus, give us the grace and enablement to conti
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FURTHER READING: Judges 17: 1-13; Haggai 1: 1-11; Acts 7:54-8:3.
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ESOCS Devotional 28 September 2022
