Your Heart

This week in Sunday school, we have started the book of Matthew and are focusing on learning about the parables. ("Not to be confused with parabolas." Ohh... Thanks for that, Tom. :)) This week, we talked about the parable of the seed. Below is the passage from Matthew 13.

Matthew 13: 3-9:

3 And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, "Behold, the sower went out to sow; 4 and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up. 5 "Others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil. 6 "But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7 "Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out. 8 "And others fell on the good soil and yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty. 9 "He who has ears, let him hear."

What is the significance of this parable? After all, Jesus used His parables as analogies to teach his listeners something. Jesus used this passage to teach us about our hearts; to help us analyze what conditions in which our hearts are.

You can see that in the passage, Jesus describes 4 different types of hearts.

1. The seed that fell on the path and was eaten by the birds represents:

A heart unreceptive to and unwilling to share God's word. The Word is then picked apart by sin and because this heart does not heed the will of God, the heart has no one to turn to and the Word is taken away, never finding a safe place to grow its roots. ("in one ear and out the other".)

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine!

2. The seed that fell into the rocky soil, began to grow, but could not get nourishment from the soil around the rocks and withered when the sun scorched upon it. This represents:

A heart that hears the Word and applies it to its life. Unfortunately, the Word is not nourished and it cracks under pressure or cannot withstand the trials of life. This heart is left distraught.

When you pass through the fire, I will be with you. And the flames will not overcome you. Do not fear, for I gave redeemed you. I have called you by name; you are Mine. -Isaiah 43

3. This seed that fell among good soil, but around the soil were thorns. Although the seed grew rapidly, it was eventually choked out by the thorns and withered and died.

This is my heart. Although the seed fell among good soil (a relationship with Christ) and grew into a beautiful plant, the Word was squelched out by sin surrounding the heart and influencing it.

In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light my strength my song .

Here in love of Christ I stand.

Here in the death of Christ I live.

I was rased in a Christian home and am surrounded by Christian friends, but even thought I have all this, I am far from perfect. (Obviously!) The sin that surrounds me continues to take hold of my heart and I continue to fall into the pit of despair, sinning again and again. Thankfully, there is a Redeemer to take my fall. He took my place and was, in return, met with the severity of thorns upon His brow. He took my sin. He took my punishment. Jesus paid it all and it is well with my soul.

Jesus paid it all, All to him I owe;

Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.

4. The last, of course, is the seed that fell among healthy soil and flourished with nutrition, becoming a beautiful, healthy plant. This represents:

A heart of warmth, inviting Jesus in every day.

Longing to be with Him and his glory, His majesty.

Not because of who I am,

But because of what you've done.

Not because of what I've done,

But because of who you are.

*HOSANNA, HOSANNA. HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST.*

-Sj*