ben's backyard
“A farmer went out to sow his seed….some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.” Matthew 13:4
I know it isn’t the message of the parable exactly, but my heart goes out to the poor frustrated farmer. My son-in-law has been casting seed in his backyard, and some of it is growing into lush green grass. But in his case, the culprits aren’t birds eating it up…it’s the raccoons sneaking into the yard at night and feasting for grubs.
Instead of the farmer I’m supposed to identify with the seed, and I do that too. Many, many years ago, I was a seed fortunate to fall on good soil that nurtured my knowledge of Jesus Christ and produced spiritual growth in my life. I get no credit for that accomplishment. I simply landed in the right soil at the right time, due to no fault of my own. So why am I surprised that not everyone believes or fully understands the kingdom of God? Who am I to be disappointed or even shocked that so many don’t believe in Him, when Jesus talked about the things that thwart the knowledge of God’s kingdom in a parable about thieving birds, rocky soil and scorching sun, and of rootlessness that won’t produce a crop.
Furthermore, Jesus even says, “I speak to them in parables” to highlight that many will never hear or understand. Why am I outraged? I should be humbled. My heart can be incredibly selfish, foolish and rebellious, as hard as the soil along the path that won’t allow the truth to break through. And yet, by God’s grace, the soil of my heart took in the words of God and they have taken root.
It is pure blessing when you have eyes that can see or ears that can hear, a heart humble enough to know what you don’t know about God, even if you’ve spent your whole long life not knowing. The parable says it is the enticement of the “evil one” who has stopped up your ears and blinded your eyes. It’s not too late to receive the words of grace and truth. “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you.” Matthew 13:11
Love, Liz
