The Vine: September 16, 2024
“Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the Vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing”
This is a weekly reflection on the previous week’s sermon text. Each week there will be a devotional related to the scripture for the week, along with questions for reflection/discussion, as well as prayer. Feel free to make this a part of your individual spiritual growth throughout the week or utilize in small group settings (growth groups, Sunday school, etc.)
“That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
Just imagine the scene – Jesus is sitting in a boat and a large crowd is standing on the shore. It seems odd at first glance. Why on earth is Jesus sitting in a boat while everyone else is standing? It was not unusual for rabbis to teach from a seated position, nor was it unusual for a rabbi to speak from a boat to a large crowd gathered at the lake. He shared this very relatable story about a farmer who went out to sow seeds. Everyone in the crowd could relate to the imagery of a farmer sowing seeds in the soil.
There were four types of soil in this story – the path, rocky places, among thorns, and good soil. What is different about this parable than so many others Jesus told is the fact that after sharing the story, Jesus explained to his disciples the actual meaning. Later in Matthew 13:18-23 Jesus explained:
“Hear then the parable of the Sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
This parable has traditionally been referred to as the “Parable of the Sower” and “The Parable of the Soil”. Either way, the story has lessons for both the one who sows and the one who receives as the soil.
I find it interesting that Jesus told this story under the assumption that the Sower would cast seeds over the various types of soil. We would think a more logical, reasoned approach would be to simply find good soil and sow seeds there to not waste time and seeds on unproductive soil. But perhaps that is the biggest lesson of all. If we imagine God as the One who sows, then there is the possibility of something new developing in all of us, regardless of the level of our receptivity.
At various points in our spiritual lives, we can relate to all the different types of soil – the path, rocky places, thorny areas, and good soil. Thankfully, God’s sowing is not dependent on our willingness to receive.
Last week I was weed eating in our yard and when I walked across the driveway, I noticed some grass growing through a crack in the pavement. A driveway is not an ideal place for grass to grow, yet underneath all that pavement something was happening below the surface that I could not see. Grass was indeed growing despite the pavement. The same can be said in our lives. I can think of many times in my life when I have been less than “good soil”, nonetheless, God’s grace was still activated, and God’s purposes were accomplished.
At the conclusion of the parable, Jesus said, “Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears listen!” In other words, the crop that was harvested was way beyond what was considered normal. In fact, it was way beyond comprehension. Perhaps that was Jesus’ way of saying that the same thing can and will happen in our lives as Christ lives in and through us. After all, God is the one growing the seeds.
PRAYER
Loving God, we thank you for continuing to sow seeds in us. We confess that we are often not receptive to that which you seek to sow in us, but are thankful that you continue to sow nonetheless. Help us to see opportunities to sow seeds of your grace and love in others. May the seeds you plant in all of us bring forth that which you desire in the world. Amen.
Questions for Reflection:
Which type of soil do you feel most accurately represents your own receptivity to God right now?
How can we cultivate our “soil” to be more receptive to spiritual growth?
Who has God used to sow seeds in your life throughout the years?
In what ways are you sowing seeds of God’s grace in other people’s lives today?
Jesus said, “Let anyone with ears listen!” What practices have been helpful in your life in relation to listening to God’s calling in your life?
PREVIOUS WEEKS
To view all previous devotions go to https://fumc-rr.org/the-vine