October 13 – Matthew 13; Luke 8: Receiving The Word
Today’s Tasting: Matthew 13 & Luke 8
Matthew 13: In this chapter Jesus tells six parables.
1. The first one is the parable of the farmer scattering seed. The seed fell on different types of ground but only the seed that fell on good soil brought forth fruit. The seed represents the word of God and the people are the different types of soil that it falls on. Jesus reminded His disciples that they were blessed to understand the meaning of the parables.
2. The second parable is the wheat and the weeds. After the farmer sowed good seeds and went to bed, his enemy came and sowed weeds in the midst of his wheat and they grew together but he told his farmers not to pull up the wheat but to let them grow together and during the harvest he will tell the harvesters what to do. Jesus is the farmer and the field is the world. The good seeds are the good people and the wheat are the evil people. Just like the weeds and the wheat will be separated, so will the Son of Man do the same.
3. The third parable is of the mustard seed. It is the smallest seed but grows into the largest garden. The mustard seed is heaven.
4. The fourth parable reveals how it only takes a small amount of yeast to make bread and it permeates through the entire dough.
5. The fifth is the parable of the hidden treasures and the pearl. When a merchant finds something of value, he do what it takes to get it.
6. The sixth parable is the fishing net. A net is thrown into the sea and catches every kind of fish. The bad fish are thrown away and the good fish are put in crates. So is the Kingdom of Heaven. The bad people will be thrown into the fire. When Jesus finished telling these stories, He went to Nazareth to teach but was rejected by His own people.
Luke 8: Starts off naming some of the women who followed Jesus along with His disciples. Luke tells his version of the parable of the scattering of the seed. The parable of the lamp is told. A light is lit to be seen and not covered up. Everything in the dark will be revealed and those who listen to the teaching of Jesus will gain more understanding. Jesus and His disciples got in a boat and He told them that they were going to the other side. A storm arose and the disciples got scared and called on Jesus. He spoke to the wind and it ceased. Jesus healed a demon possessed man. The legion of demons knew who Jesus was and did not want Him to get rid of them. He permitted them to go into some pigs and then the pigs went over the cliff. Jairus came to Jesus because his daughter was ill and needed healing. While they were on their way, a woman who had an issue of blood for 12 years touched the hem of Jesus’ garment and was immediately healed. In the meantime Jairus got news that his daughter had died and to not bother Jesus any longer but Jesus told him not to be afraid and have faith. Jesus healed his daughter who was 12 years old.
Today’s Nourishment: Jesus walked the earth teaching and healing, but there were still people who did not believe in Him including His own family. There were times when His disciples did not understand and had to ask Jesus for clarity of the parables. These parables are earthly stories with a heavenly meaning. The people were able to relate to parables because they were stories similar to the life that they were living, but they didn’t understanding the heavenly meaning. We, too, hear the Word of God every week and sometimes still don’t understand the meaning. We may ask the Holy Spirit to give us understanding, clarity and revelation of His word. Trust Him, to receive the Word in you as good soil. Trust Him to give clarity, in order that the enemy cannot steal it away.
Father, I thank You for Your word! I admit that sometimes I don’t understand what I have read or heard. I ask right now for the Holy Spirit to give me a greater understanding of Your Word. I need clarity of Your Word. I need revelation of Your Word. I desire to be that good soil with deep roots in Your Word so, the enemy cannot steal it away from me. Lord, help me right now. I decree and declare that as I wait and hear Your word, the Holy Spirit will help me understand and receive the words and know how to live the words. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Have you ever taken the time to think about what kind of soil are you?
Is the word of God planted deeply in you or did His Word fall by the wayside?
Did it fall on stony ground or in the thorns?
How we react when life reveals what kind of soil we are?
Take time to ask God to reveal to you what type of soil you are. If you are not where you want to live. Then, repeat our prayer above daily and watch God plant His Word into your life in unimaginable ways.
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Tomorrow’s Delight: Mark 4-5
Chantea Williams,
Greater Working Women Ministries
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