Jesus used parables to teach both the crowds and His disciples. Typically, He first spoke the parable in the hearing of all, and then in private explained it to His disciples. But even the disciples were curious about this, and so they asked Jesus, “Why are you speaking to them in parables?” (Matthew 13:10).
It’s a funny thought. Why would Jesus want to make things more complicated? Isn’t the kingdom of heaven a sufficiently difficult idea to grasp without riddles? And isn’t it hard enough to comprehend what it means that Jesus is the Messiah, even when explained in plain Aramaic?
Yes! And here’s Jesus’s fascinating response, “Because the secrets of the kingdom of heaven have been given for you to know, but it has not been given to them” (v.11). What?! The disciples got secrets that everyone else didn’t get? But wait, there’s more. Jesus continued, “For whoever has, more will be given to him, and he will have more than enough; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. That is why I speak to them in parables, because looking they do not see, and hearing they do not listen or understand” (vv.12–13).
They think they understand, but they don’t. Now when we read Jesus’s parable of the sower and see the Word fall on unfruitful ground, we can see what He’s talking about. Some hearts are hard, and some hearts are not ready.
Christ’s Word was at the center of His ministry. His Word is valuable—His Word is life—and not everyone understood it. We stand at a wonderful time in history because now we, like His disciples, get to be taken aside to hear Him explain His own Word. The messianic mystery is made even more understandable for us than it was for the disciples because we have access to the entirety of Scripture.
Like the disciples, we need Christ to interpret His Word. Without the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit, we are like those who have eyes yet see not, and have ears yet hear not. Apart from Christ, we are unfit soil and will bear no fruit.
Like the disciples, we are to listen attentively and carefully, seeking to know more. We are not to clutter our hearts with the vain loves and cares of this world. “Therefore, take care how you listen” (Luke 8:18). The light of the world has come to reveal all things, and in His light, nothing remains hidden. So let us look to the Lord and ask Him to give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to believe (Acts 28:27).
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67 thoughts on "Parables and Miracles"
Amen! Thank you for this!
Such a great read for me today! I could feel God speaking, I have had the flu and been very worried about my infant daughter and husband. I realized I was being like the people in the household saying don’t bother. I know God is a healing God and will heal me too.
I just wanted to mention to women in verse 3 who provided for the disciples “out of their own means”! It’s a rare but awesome mention of women in this way in scripture & it’s encouraging to me.
natasha R, i’m so happy for you and to hear that god has changed your husband’s heart and you two can walk in faith together. did he always go to church with you? this is something i’m really stressed about right now as i don’t want to force it but also feel like it will be a great avenue for god to reach him. thank you so much for replying and for your encouragement!! i’m glad i thought to look back on this day’s reading and saw your comment! <3
“Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distresses. … Then they were glad because they were quiet, So He guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness” (Psalm 107:28-31). They were glad because they were quiet. How well I know that feeling! The best way I can describe God’s rescue is a settled quietness that pervades my life … and leaves me at peace.
After reading this passage yesterday I laid in bed last night truly pondering over this parable. I know what seed I want to be and I know I want to learn and strive to be all that God created me to be
This parable of the sower is one I have heard in many sermons. It’s a strong parable that shows us how individuals receive the word of God. I know there’s been times where I don’t exactly fall where I want to when it comes to receiving God’s word. In these instances, if I just keep my faith that Christ will give me strength and courage to get through days that are more difficult, I know that He will answer them.
I think this parable has been used so frequently among Christians that sometimes we don’t stop to appreciate it. For some, it’s an accurate and harrowing description of their walk with Christ. This is Christ’s way of saying, wherever you plant your seed, its growth is contingent on where it is planted. We all want to be planted in fertile soil that its roots are imbedded in the ground.
As it stands, all we can do is continue to nurture our seed. We need to absorb every word as if it’s the first time hearing a message and learning its meaning. Allowing our roots to grow deep within the Lord only allows for us to have strong deep connections with him, a simple prayer in his name can do so much.
S S, thank you for your support and prayers! i will be keeping your husband in my prayers as well. i don’t know many others who share our situation, so if you would ever like to talk privately together, let me know and i would be happy to share my email/facebook with you.
and to brittany, ash, and bee, thank you for your support and prayers as well! your encouragement and stories have meant the world to me this morning. bee, do you have a specific book in mind of ravi zacharias’s that you would recommend?
Great message… it takes courage and strength to actually put the word into action in our daily lives… but once you do it truly is a blessing..
I’m definitely feeling like the seed that is growing amongst thorns and “choked by life’s worries, riches, and pleasures” at the moment. Worrying about my grad school applications, job searching, financial security, etc. and not trusting God and having faith that He’s in control and will take care of me.
Please pray that I will become a seed amongst good soil that will grow and become fruitful. That I not only hear God’s word, but practice it as well:
21But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”
I so relate Lyna as I am also fixing to start grad school! it is such a time of transition which I feel makes it seem easier to turn my fertile soil into rock or thorn, because I have not prioritized cultivating that growth. I pray for your steadfast faith in where the Lord is going to lead you for your career and I pray that you enjoy the journey along the way! :)
From my dear friend in Massena NY. Bunny would you please get your prayer warriors to pray for a little 13 year old who is dying from Cancer. Would you ask Father God to intercede and make this child whole. Thank you.
Praying for strength, comfort, and healing that only God can provide!
❤️
Rebecca, thank you for the reinforcement of committing to being a lifelong learner and student of the Word. I have a home Bible study I lead but feel the need, the responsibility, the joy, of sitting under other leadership (SRT being one!). The Holy Spirit is generous in fresh revelation. The Bible is the LIVING Word.
Just a note:the Psalmist in 107 is referring to Jonah’s storm-not the storm that we read in Luke’s account.
Valerie, to appeal to your significant other’s rational mind, may I recommend Ravi Zacharias. His organization’s goal is “helping the thinker believe and the believer think.”
My observations: My heart has been the soil on the side of the road, the rocky soil and impacted by the thorns. I think this is also everyman’s story. This truth humbles me. I notice that Jesus picked his disciples but told the healed man in verse 38 to go back home. Our ministry best start in the home. I love Jesus’ response to the woman who washed his feet with her tears. There was NO shame and blame in His heart toward her, which is what is wielded in this world. He merely mentioned her love. Are you shocked?! Some of us have grown up with shame and blame environments. I pray in this New Year that I can share this true and glorious gospel of Jesus Christ with those who are spiritually thirsty. I pray for the needs listed here. Please pray for me.
Praying for you, Valerie! Bringing others to Christ is always the most difficult work. I see the patience and care you are putting into this, and pray you will be rewarded for your tenacity
Praying for you Tricia! I love the verse in Psalms,that says He will lead them to the harbor they longed for. Praying that God would lead me to the harbor He ultimately longs for my life, as I decide whether to transfer colleges. It’s kind of a God thing that we had that verse today relating to the ocean, because if I did transfer I would major in marine biology. Lord, I give it all to you. Place me where you want me.
Lord, I pray the seed of your word may come unto us on fertile ground. I pray our roots grow strong and we continue to nurture and tend to our faith. I pray that strong roots will grow to bear fruit, and that we will be called to scatter seed and help others to know you through our actions. Amen!
this devotion really struck a chord with me today. story time and prayer/advice request below. i apologize for my long comment!
“Some hearts are hard, and some hearts are not ready.” this really hit home for me today. my S/O is agnostic and it has been a source of constant anxiety for me the last few months (we have been together for a year this month). it makes me think of ezekiel 36:26, a verse that i have constantly been praying over. i have faith that god will reach him, and is working on him in his perfect timing, but it is still very stressful for me.
i know many fellow believers would say it is unwise to be in this relationship and to cut things off, but i truly believe god brought us together. last year at this time of year my prayer and wish for 2018 was to find my person for forever, who would be worth all the loneliness and pain and past loves failing, and immediately god brought my S/O back into my life (we had met briefly once before through a mutual friend). against all odds we started dating – the timing and coincidences that led to us meeting again were JUST right, too perfect to be anything but god.
my S/O also grew up in a cold, broken, and uncaring christian household and has been hurt by his family many times. he could have become an extremely bitter and cruel person but has only demonstrated how caring and loving of a person he is to me time and time again. over the past year my S/O has shown me unconditional love, limitless forgiveness, more happiness than i ever thought someone could make me feel, and i can see god’s love in him in the way he loves and cares for me. but he prides himself on how he thinks with reason and how rational he is, and while he doesn’t discount the possibility of god, he thinks that without the science to back it up it’s unlikely.
i am afraid of being pushy with my faith with my S/O. i was afraid to ask him to come to church with me for the longest time (i have been searching for a new church home, and didn’t want to ask until i found that home. but now i think i’ve found it!) but felt pulled to ask one day anyway, but despite that i was still not going to ask until heard a voice say “how can i work on him when you haven’t given me a chance to?” i have not had many spiritual experiences before other than a general “feeling” and always kind of waved it off when i’ve heard church leaders and others say literally that “god was speaking to them” but this really shocked me and i knew it to be god speaking to me. he grumbled a bit but did come with and seemed to enjoy the service. but i am afraid to ask again or even talk to him openly about faith because i’m worried he will be internally eye rolling at my spirituality since he’s so rational, and am afraid i will be met with defensiveness and that there is still a lot of hurt around this area because of his family.
on new year’s this year i had a dream that i was walking along a residential street at night all alone, and everything was in black and white. i was calling out my S/O’s name but heard no reply, and when i woke up i was strangely not unsettled by the dream. i thought maybe it was a sign that my S/O was too far to reach and that i should give up – but that interpretation didn’t feel right, especially since i wasn’t emotionally affected by it in any way. there have been times where i’ve wondered if i really should call things off, but what if i were to find someone who shares my faith and then loses it later on? as i thought more about it over the next couple days, i realized that the dream was trying to show me how colorless and empty my life would be without my S/O. when i had that realization i heard a voice say “ah, you understand.” and once again i knew it to be god speaking to me.
this is a really long post now, and i appreciate those of you who’ve read everything! i want to kindly ask for your prayers that god softens my S/O’s heart and pulls him towards him. that my S/O will seek god out and find him. that he will find there is reason and rationality behind faith. that i will not be a hindrance on his journey to faith, but be a good example of the healing, hope, joy, comfort, and love that faith brings. that god will grant me patience and peace and clarity in this waiting period. that i will trust in his perfect timing, the timing so perfect that brought my S/O into my life against all odds. i know god is working on him and wants me to be patient but it is much easier said than done. it feels foolish and i am afraid that even if my S/O does come to church with me, does talk openly about faith with me, that it will only be to appease me, that it will be a false hope and maybe he will never come around. it is scary to plan for a future together when you are unsure how god will time things. it is scary to plan for a future based on hope alone.
and to those of you who’ve been in similar situations, any advice or encouragement you have would mean the world to me. thank you, thank you, thank you, and blessings to all of you.
Hi Valerie! I am praying with you. I love how you said you are hearing God voice, I too have felt like it was just a feeling but it’s great you hear Him speaking to you! My husband didn’t grow up in church and I didn’t know if it was possible for him to become a believer but God has moved mountains in his heart in just a few short years and He can move mountains in your S O s heart too! Praying with you now for a heart to be softened and moved toward God!
Brittany, I too have gone through exactly what you are experiencing. I have now been happily married for over 4 years and although my husband still has not been called to a personal relationship with God, I am repeatedly shown why God has chosen us for one another. it is so tough coming from a strong Christian background and realizing that God has chosen someone who is not a believer. But the important part of all of this is that you are constantly seeking Gods word and wisdom throughout your time together. It is incredible that you have heard Gods voice respond to your cries and know that he will continue to do so! Look how the learned Pharisees scoffed at Jesus’s interactions and relationships with those who were not Jews. Look at the story of Hosea who was called to marry a prostitute. God works in unexpected ways and if you feel this has drawn you closer to him and your relationship is bearing good fruit, then keep listening to Him! Praying for you that you may find your strength in God. Praying for your S/O and my husband, that God might move mountains in their hearts and draw them near to Him.
Hi Valerie! I hope you still get to read this because I’m a few days behind! How you describe your S/O and your relationship is quite similar to my situation with my love. He is a good, kind man but had so many defenses around his heart because of previous hurts. I, too, did not know how to bring him to God. I prayed and prayed, surrendered to God, and asked him to show me how to love this man in the way He wanted me too. And God started changing, and continues to change, his heart. We’re married now, going to church together, growing in faith together, and having infrequent but significant exchanges about our faith. So, just surrender, and God will deal with it!
Praying for you Tricia and Indiana!
Prayers for you, Tricia. I pray you feel the presence of our Great Physician today.
Praying for Churchmouse.
Grateful for this space to come and fill up with God’s word and hear from other Godly women. Tricia…prayers for you and a giant hug. God’s got this. ❤
Prayers for you!
Tricia, lifting you up this morning. You are not alone!
Lord, thank you for Tricia’s joy, for her ability to see you, even in such hardship, for her willingness to ask for prayer. I ask that you continue to surround her in this, allowing her to feel you in every step. Please guide her physicians’ hands, mouths and eyes. Be with them that they too, may know and hear you. Lord, I ask that their eyes clearly see every last bit of this disease and that it be easily removed and rectified. Father God, I ask that you provide peace and safe passage for her husband in this. I can’t begin to imagine the overwhelming thoughts as they endure this, so Lord, I would ask that you bring a calm that only you can and a new closeness between the two that will allow you to be glorified in their marriage through this and for many healthy years to come. It is in Jesus’ name, we ask this. ~ Amen
“Therefore, take care how you listen” (Luke 8:18).
Lord, help us all to take care how we listen. Help us be and have good ground. Help us, Lord Jesus!
Tricia, I am praying for you and your husband.
God is with you and so are we!
Tricia, I am praying for you and your husband.
God is with you and so are we!
As a teacher in a Christian school, the devotional hot home. I can be frustrated many times that I give the seed of the Word where ever I can in my English class, but the majority of students don’t allow the seed to take root. The ground is t fertile. Their hearts are not ready. I’ll keep throwing seed until their hearts are ready to receive.
Praying for you Tricia!
You must feel so overwhelmed! I will be praying
HI Lesley,
From what I understand, Jesus would tell people not to spread the news about his ministry because He knew the Pharisees were looking for ways to kill him and he did not want that to happen before the appropriated time. When he drove out the demons from the man, he was on a small island called Gerasenes that was away from the center of all the action, Gallilee. People on this island may not have known about Jesus at all and that may be why Jesus wanted the man to tell his story to others so that they would believe too.
Gerasenes is not actually an island. It was a town in the region of the Decapolis, what the Jews called “the other side” as it was on the other side of the lake, what we call the Sea of Galilee. Go back and read what happened the next time Jesus went to that region. It’s an amazing change from this encounter where the people sent him away in fear….
In Acts Paul quotes Isaiah:
a people
always listening, never understanding;
looking, but not perceiving.
Callous hearts
Deaf ears and blind eyes
And, the promise that if they would turn…they would be healed.
I feel like that these same things are prominent today also.
Violent storms come from every direction…and we feel like we are going to die,
We reach out to Jesus who calms the waves.
We have dealings with people who have “legions” of issues
It is both frightening, and heartbreaking,
They need to call out to Jesus for healing
People trying to do right, lose someone (thing) precious to them
People with chronic health issues, who need just to reach out and touch the hem of Jesus’ garment.
There is so much pain and trouble in our world
AND YET, JESUS…
His Word, His Hope, His Peace, the message of Salvation is scattered like seed…
Some falls on the path and is trampled or devoured by birds
Some falls among the rock and starts to grow, but withers away due to lack of roots and moisture
Some falls among thorns and is choked out
And some falls on soft ground growing solid and strong producing fruit.
There IS much pain
Jesus is the only answer
He has called me to scatter seed,
My concern is not the type of ground it lands on,
I am called to scatter the seed
for, whether it is calming a storm, driving out demons, healing the sick, or bringing back to life,
Jesus can and does.
“My concern is not the type of ground it lands on.” Exactly! I shared this same idea with my FCA leadership team this morning. We are called to share the Gospel to everyone we come in contact with.
Well written
I have thought about this a lot as well! From my research, it seems that when Jesus was with Gentiles, he would tell them to tell others. When jesus was with Jews, he was tell them to not tell others. Many commentaries have pointed out that if news of Jesus’ healings had gotten back to Scribes/Pharisees too early, His crucifiction would come too early. I enjoy using the app Bible Hub for specific verse questions! It shows various commentaries that help me understand in better detail.
So interesting!
Good morning! I’m asking for your prayers, Sisters. I came to Sloan Kettering, a cancer hospital in NYC, yesterday for an initial appointment. Upon seeing my right leg X-ray the doctor said I needed to be admitted. I have a tumor there on my femur and it had gotten to the point where my bone is almost broken. If it broke I more than likely would need to have the leg amputated. But God- He made sure it didn’t break before I got here. The plan is for surgery sometime this week to remove the tumor and replace the bone with something like an allograft or hardware. He is so good. Though it sure isn’t what my husband and I had planned, He is in control.
Please pray with me that the cancer is only in that femur and that surgery will be a success. We live four hours away in PA, so this is rather difficult all the way around. My husband is overwhelmed I am sure. Pray for strength for both of us. Thank you so much!
I love Psalm 91:1,2
So thankful that God brought you to these doctors at this very time. Will pray for you and your husband.
Tricia, I am praying for you and your family today as I can only imagine the mix of emotions you all must be experiencing at this news. The Lord is so good in getting you to the hospital in time to allow for healing. I pray that your surgery goes well, that you aren’t in too much pain, and that peace might come over your heart and the hearts of those who love you.
Praying for both of you!
Tricia, I’m praying for you right now
Hi Tricia, I’m praying for your healing and for peace and strength for you both! I’m also praying for your doctors- may God guide their hands and their therapeutic decisions!
How often do I listen without hearing? Probably 99% of the time if I judge by my actions each day! I must learn to listen attentively to my heart and with my heart to access Christ who lives in me. Only then can I be sure that I am following His will and path for me. Today’s reading and post were a much needed reminder.
How often do I listen without hearing? Probably 99% of the time if I judge by my actions each day! I must learn to listen attentively to my heart and with my heart to access Christ who lives in me. Only then can I be sure that I am following His Will and path for me.
Good morning, SRT community. I’m asking for prayers for my neighbors in my apartment complex. Last night, there was a huge fire just across from the set of apartments that I live in. Over 60 people lost all of their belongings in their homes and are displaced by this fire. It was awful just feeling helpless as I watched the fire roar and completely destroy so much. It filled me with a mixture of fear that it would spread to the building where I live and relief that the fire was not at my doorstep. I just stood shivering at my window, staring and feeling powerless as I cried and my heart broke for my neighbors. I prayed and prayed for the safety of my neighbors and the fire fighters and the first responders. I’m very grateful that I’m okay and that I have a place to live, but I’m still very heartbroken for my neighbors. So, if you could please join me in prayer for my apartment community, I’d be very appreciative. Thank you.
God will be with you and with them!
Praying for those affected by the fire and for those in the community who can step in and help.
I will pray right now!
Praying for you, Indiana Christina, and your neighbors and everyone impacted by this! God, please show Your power and lovingkindness and comfort in care for these in need this morning. Please empower this community to action and compassion and resources to help and support their neighbors. In the healing name of Jesus!
Praying! Was anyone hurt in the fire?
Praying as well, specifically that through this tragedy, the people affected will see God
Praying for your neighbors.
Praying with you sis
Will lift them in prayer.
I am praying now. May help come to all and peace fill their hearts.
Praying for all those affected!
Hi Indiana, I’m thankful that you are safe, and am praying for your neighbors.
I’m struck by the contrast in Jesus’ instructions after healing the demon-possessed man and healing Jairus’ daughter. He tells the man to go and tell everyone what God has done but he tells Jairus and his wife not to tell anyone. I was wondering if anyone has any idea about why he does this?
That’s always been puzzling to me, too