Thursday, September 18, 2014
Matthew 13:1-3 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."
THE SEED THAT IS SCATTERED
Most people don't listen well. There is a story told about President Franklin Roosevelt: He complained that nobody listened to what he said as he greeted people in the long receiving lines at the White House. So he carried out an experiment one day. To each person who passed down the line and shook his hand, he murmured, "I murdered my grandmother this morning." The guests responded with phrases like, "Marvelous! Keep up the good work." It wasn't until the end of the line--the Bolivian ambassador was actually listening. He leaned over and whispered, "I'm sure she had it coming."
Listening is a complex skill, and many don't do it all that well. It's a reminder to us that we really need to take care how we listen to Jesus. We take special care to hear and receive His word with joy because He speaks to us with such loving persistence, and His words to us are so very important.
Jesus told a story of a farmer who went out and scattered His seed. The "seed" scattered represented Christ's holy and precious word. It is a word which brings good news: the good news that our sin has been forgiven, that we stand right with God, and that Jesus' resurrection from the dead gives us life. The seed is worth hearing. He who has ears, let him hear!
Father of mercies, in Thy Word
What endless glory shines!
Forever be Thy name adored
For these celestial lines.
Divine Instructor, gracious Lord,
Be Thou forever near;
Teach me to love Thy sacred Word
And view my Savior here.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 284:1, 6)
