Join us Sunday at 9:30am

Lessons From Matthew 13 – by Pastor Chandler

  Posted on   by   No comments

“And he (Jesus) told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.” (Matthew 13:3-9 ESV)

Last summer, Kimmi and I moved into a wonderful home nestled perfectly in the midst of a lush and beautiful forest. With the house came sizable front and back yards, which I have oddly become very fond of. I suddenly have a passion to feed and water the lawn, and to create a soft bed of grass for my children’s feet to freely walk on. However, the beautiful forest has a mind of its own. The forest and I are not on the same page. The underbrush, invasive plants, thorny thistles, and crawling vines, which hide in the shadows of the trees waiting for the right moment to peek out of the edge of the tree line didn’t hear my plan for the yard.

The growth of the forest is unruly. It menacingly crawls slowly but steadily out into the grassland. It is presently taking up arms against me. The stinging nettle, giant thistle, and sneaky weeds serve as the deathly ammunition of the untamed forest as it takes aim to destroy my plans.

Several weeks ago Kimmi and I, armed with shovel-swords, leather gloves of armor, rakes as our spears, and long sleeve shirts reminiscent of the chainmail worn by medieval times soldiers, walked valiantly to the back yard right up against the forest. There the scales of the war were tipped in favor of the mighty woodland. The grass had cowered and died. The thistle, our enemy, stood tall over the lawn in a mocking stance. We could almost hear its laughter echoing through the acres. But, its day was going to come to an end.

Kimmi and I rushed into the battle chanting, “Push’m back, push’m back!” We dug out wheelbarrow loads of thistle, piles and piles of stinging nettle, and yards of weeds to rid the soil of its enemy and to make the path ready for grass.

We didn’t escape the battle unscathed. We both wore wounds and battle scars serving as marks of our efforts. The nettle found its way through our sleeves and left us itching. The thistle stuck us again and again. And there were still yet many rocks to remove from the earth that, if left unchecked, would leave damaging blows on our most lethal weapon in our campaign, the lawn mower.

As I was sweating in the midst of the bristly soil, I couldn’t help but think of Matthew 13. Out there in that part of my property, I encountered all the enemies to the seed. There were barren, bark-laden paths where no grass seed would ever survive. There were rocks and boulders aplenty. Some of them were so large I am still waiting to enlist reinforcements to help vanquish them. And there were thorns and thorns and thorns and thorns.

When we were done working and done raking, when the area was clear, the only thing that remained was soil. Amongst the thistle, against the weeds, and atop the rocks, the grass had no chance. There was no way for the desired growth to survive. But now the seed had a chance. The grass of my dreams may yet come into existence.

Spiritually speaking, as Christians, we want to grow in Christ. We want to mature, as the New Testament puts it. And while this parable in Matthew 13 is more about the evangelistic ministry of the gospel, I think we can apply it to our Christian life as well. If the unruly, unyielding world is creeping into our hearts and lives then the maturity we long for is going to be in jeopardy. Thorns of greed, weeds of pride, the buckthorn of arrogance, and the rocks of sin will deal damaging blows to our spiritual life if we allow them to remain. The grassy pasture we long to walk in barefoot, unafraid of thorns stabbing our feet, will be fleeting if we are not engaged in the battle of Christ.

By God’s grace and in His strength we need to band together and chant, “Push’m back, push’m back!” Cut down the sin that threatens our very lives. Dig up the roots of evil that fester amongst the righteous. Throw it all in a pile and burn it up so that it never returns. Are we battling against the world armed with the armor of God and the gospel of truth? Or are we sitting inside the house while the woods take over the entire property?

“He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” Till the ground and make ready the way of the Lord in your heart.

In Christ, Chandler

Ps. Consider listening to the song Good Shepherd of My Soul by Keith and Krysten Getty.

Comments

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *