WEDNESDAY, 8 NOVEMBER 2023
TEXT:
Luke 8:1-21
1:
After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another,
proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him,
2:
and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary
(called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out;
3:
Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many
others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.
4:
While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town
after town, he told this parable:
5:
“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell
along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up.
6:
Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because
they had no moisture.
7:
Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants.
8:
Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred
times more than was sown.” When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears
to hear, let them hear.”
9:
His disciples asked him what this parable meant.
10:
He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to
you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, “‘though seeing, they may not
see; though hearing, they may not understand.’
11:
“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.
12:
Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes
away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.
13:
Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they
hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of
testing they fall away.
14:
The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on
their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do
not mature.
15:
But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who
hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.
16:
“No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed.
Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.
17:
For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed
that will not be known or brought out into the open.
18:
Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more;
whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.”
19:
Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get
near him because of the crowd.
20:
Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to
see you.”
21:
He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it
into practice.”
(New
International Version Holy Bible)
TOPIC:
LIFE’S CHALLENGES AND MYSTERIES OF THE KINGDOM
Today's
reading paints a picture of life's challenges based on man's attitude towards
God's loving counsel.
The
hearts of men are likened to different types of fields capable of receiving
seeds to produce bountiful harvests.
The
farmer sowed seeds indiscriminately into the available soils which had all it
takes to germinate.
The
soils represent the hearts of men and the seed is the Word of God which is
capable of bringing life abundant to those who tend it with all the diligence
it requires.
The
first soil was by the way side, accompanied by heavy traffic capable of
hindering growth, while the rocky soil, which demonstrated enthusiasm, at first
didn't sustain the seeds due to lack of depth. Before long, it also failed to
grow any seeds.
Men
are counselled to "Take heed how they hear and handle the precious Word of
the Kingdom, because, it is only those who hear the Word of God and do it that
are Jesus' family that will inherit the Kingdom with Him" (vs 18-21).
QUESTION:
How do you receive the seed of the Word of God as it comes to you? Are you
humble enough to respond accordingly and profit from it?
PRAYER:
Give me the grace, dear Lord, to respond to Your Word which will make me
triumph over life's challenges, in Jesus name. Amen.
Remain
Blessed
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