Matthew 13:1-23

“That is why I speak to them in parables, because, though they have eyes, they do not see, and though they have ears, they do not hear or understand.” ~ Matthew 13:13 OEB

I encourage you to read the whole reading for yourself but here is a quick synopsis.

Jesus has just shared the parable of the sower who drops seeds on the path where the birds come and eat them, then some fell on rocky places that sprang up quickly but without depth of soil withered, then some fell among the brambles but the brambles choked them out and some of course fell on good soil had a great yield.   

Afterward, his followers came to him and asked why he spoke in parables and Jesus replied with Matthew 13:13 above.

Then he follows up by saying that through that, the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled.

“You will hear with your ears without ever understanding, and though you have eyes, you will see without ever perceiving, for the heart of this people has grown dense, and their ears are dull of hearing, their eyes also have they closed. Otherwise some day they might perceive with their eyes, and with their ears they might hear, and in their heart they might understand and might turn –  and they might be healed.”  (This is from Matthew 14b-15 OEB) 

Jesus then goes on to explain what the parable means.  Made me chuckle because he just told them that they understood but not everyone would and then he goes ahead and explains to them too.

Anyway, the birds on the path represent the “evil one” who comes and snatches away what has been sown in their heart.  The seed in the rocky places represents “the person who hears the message and at once accepts it joyfully” but then flees or turns from it when things get hard.  The seed sown among the brambles represents the person who hears the message, but “the cares of the time and the glamour of wealth choke the message.”  And the seed on good soil of course “hears the message and understands it and really yields a return.”

How do we put this in today’s context?  Well, I think perhaps the message here for us today, is to recognize evil when we see it and turn away, to remember the teachings of Jesus and his words, “I desire compassion.”  If what we see doesn’t offer compassion, it’s probably not of Jesus and leans more towards evil.  We have to try to recognize evil when it presents itself and turn away from it.  Well, no, not turn away from it, shine a light on it so that we can all see what it truly is, so others to see it to. 

Then we have to know where we stand and what we stand for as followers of Jesus, or even just as good people, good humans, But if we are to claim the name of Jesus, we too must desire compassion, show compassion, live compassion and hold strong to that knowledge that this is what Jesus calls us to do in all things. This is our purpose here.  We are to be a beacon of love and light, of compassion and kindness.

Here it is, for today’s context, we need to have ears to hear, and eyes to see.  That means listening, really listening fully with our hearts and souls.  We need eyes to see, to witness to what is really going on and truly see it, acknowledge it and take it and do better.  We need to work to understand, fully and react with compassion and love, not violence, not hate, not judgement.  

Let compassion lead us.  May we open our ears so that we might understand, and our eyes so that we might witness, and hearts to offer love and compassion.  

“And if there is a sweet and simple teaching, 

it gifts us mind, word, and knowledge;

Mind, that we may understand;

Word, that we may interpret you;

Knowledge, that we may know you.”  The Prayer of Thanksgiving from the New New Testament.

Until next time…♥️