Back by popular demand! Several people have told me how much they appreciated receiving these devotions, and while Broadway is slowly returning to usual ministry routines, we could all still use words of encouragement throughout the week. So, I plan to write three devotions each week until Christmas, starting with a series from Jesus’ parables. If you would prefer not to receive these emails, just let me know.
Matthew 13:1-9
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
Most of us aren’t farmers who sow seeds in our fields, but we are people who cast about words everywhere we go. We make small talk with strangers. We share intimate conversations with loved ones. We say kind things to people in church. We say unkind things to people we have trouble loving. We utter countless words day after day, giving little thought to where our little seeds fall and what sort of fruit they might produce.
Jesus was deliberate with His words. He spoke only true words that would lead people closer to God. This parable, the first recorded in the Gospels, is actually a parable about parables, a story about how Jesus used words. And He wasn’t talking about any old words; He wanted us to think about the life-giving power of his word. That is, the word of God, the Good News, the Gospel. Jesus was like the farmer spreading the seed of truth, some of which fell on good, healthy soil and some that fell on hard-packed, rocky or thorny ground. Wherever Jesus went, whomever He spoke with, He always spoke true, life-giving words.
And we are like that farmer too, spreading seeds all around. Hopefully, the words we speak are true and life-giving. Seeds of good news, hope, peace and love. You can’t control how other people hear your words or the condition of the soil in their hearts, but you are responsible for the words you speak. May your good words take root and produce fruit.
Thank You, Jesus, for speaking good words of truth and salvation. I pray that Your word would take root in my life so I can grow good fruit. Help me to share Your words with others and to speak with love. I pray this for Your glory and in Your name. Amen.
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Pastor Mike Mirakian
