Matthew 13:3-9 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 seeds 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. He who has ears, let him hear.”
[New International translation]
Summary
JESUS spoke and taught in parables. HE used simple stories to illustrate a spiritual or moral lesson.
The “parable of the sower” is one of the parables of JESUS that illustrates a number of points. JESUS explains this parable in the later verses of Matthew 13. The various scatterings of seed represent various scenarios that can occur when a person hears the Gospel. For example:
- The hard path where some of the seeds fell represents the heart of a person who hears the Gospel and doesn’t understand it, treasures it, or values it; then Satan (i.e., the evil one) comes and snatches away the seeds from his heart. (Verses18-19)
- The shallow, rock soil represents the heart of a person who hears the message and receives it joyfully. But the person doesn’t have much depth or substance (rather shallow), and the message seeds are planted hastily and without the person delving deep into the Gospel. As a result, when trouble comes, or persecution begins, the person has no roots to fortify them so their joy and enthusiasm fades and let’s go of the message and drops out. (Verses 20-22)
- The ground covered with thistles represents a person who hears the message, but the cares of this life and his longing for money (i.e., the deceitfulness of wealth) chokes out GOD’s message so that over time he does less and less for GOD. This person wants a crown without a cross; the pleasure of life without eternal life. (Verses 22)
- The good ground presents the heart of a person who listens to the message and understands it, feels the urgency of the message and the desire to serve, spreads the Gospel, bringing others into GOD’s fold. (Verse 23)
Each one of these illustrations is worth studying in detail. Each one is worth praying about. Each one is worth asking, as the disciples asked at the Passover meal, “LORD is it I.” (Matthew 26:22) Am I that one? “Is that one me?” “Is that what I am becoming?” Each of us can ask “Where am I in this parable?”
This parable must also be considered a cautionary message since the seed did not flourish in the majority of the places where the seed fell. It was only where there was “good ground” or “prepared ground” that the seed or Gospel flourished. This suggests that the Gospel should not be dealt with haphazardly. There must be continued study and self-examination for “good soil” and for GOD’s WORD to flourish. Most farmers will tell you that “good soil” requires continuous work.
CDC Key Messages About COVID 19 Vaccines
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a national public health institute in the United States. Its job is to save lives and protect people from health threats. Its job is to fight diseases and to help communities and citizens do the same. It is mandated to protect the health of all Americans. https://www.cdc.gov/about/organization/mission.htm
Here are some of the Key Messages from the CDC:
- To stop the pandemic, we all need to use our prevention tools.
- Vaccines are one of the most effective tools to protect your health and prevent disease. Vaccines work with your body’s natural defenses so your body will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed (also called “immunity”).
- The U.S. vaccine safety system makes sure that all vaccines are as safe as possible.
- Studies show that COVID-19 vaccines are very effective at keeping you from getting COVID-19. Experts also think that getting a COVID-19 vaccine may help keep you from getting seriously ill, even if you do get COVID-19. These vaccines cannot give you the disease.
- After COVID-19 vaccination, you may have some side effects. These are normal signs that your body is building protection. The side effects from the COVID-19 vaccination may feel like flu and might even affect your ability to do daily activities. Most of these side effects should go away in a few days.
- You will still need to wear a mask and socially distance after getting each shot of the vaccine for now.
- As experts learn more about how COVID-19 vaccination may help reduce the spread of the disease, CDC will continue to use the latest science to update the recommendations for protecting communities.
These are important messages that involve everyone’s safety. Speak to your personal physician if you need more information or have concerns about any of the COVID 19 vaccines. You can also go to the CDC website for additional information.
OTHER KEY MESSAGES
Some messages have been around a long, long time:
-Love GOD;
-Love your neighbor as yourself;
-Eat fruits and vegetables;
-Exercise;
-Reduce stress;
-Don’t smoke;
-Limit sugar and salt;
-Seek and work for justice; and
-Stand up against injustice.
We receive many important messages over a lifetime. Some of these “seeds” were planted a long ago. Make certain that you are continuously nurturing good soil so that these seeds will flourish.
The Living Bible translation of Matthew 13:9 states: “If you have ears, listen!”
Take the message “seeds” about achieving greater physical and spiritual health to heart and pray.
Ask GOD to guide you and BE BLESSED!
