Luke 8:4-8
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
As you read Luke 8:4-8 keep in mind all that you know about the Kingdom of God.
The images of seeds and soil in this parable were part of everyday life in the agrarian culture of first century Israel. Everyone had some degree of first-hand knowledge about the relationship between the condition of the soil and the resulting crop once the seeds were sown. Without preparation, the soil would not yield healthy plants.
As Jesus will explain later, the seeds represent the “word” or message of God. The seeds are the Good News that Jesus is spreading throughout the towns and villages of Israel - they are tiny packages containing the power and potential of the Kingdom of God. But in order to take root and grow, they have to land in soil that is receptive and prepared.
Stop to meditate on the seeds and the soil. Picture these tiny but potent emissaries of Good News landing on the footpath, the rocks, the thorny soil, and the fertile soil. Listen to see if Jesus has anything to say to you through these images.
Read Luke 8:4-8 again with these thoughts in mind.
The phrase translated “God’s word” later in this passage is “logos” which is the same word John uses in his Gospel to describe Jesus. God’s “word” is the essence of who God is.
The seeds of the Kingdom are more than spoken words; they are the soul and ethos of the shalom nature of God’s Kingdom. As followers of Jesus our mission is to work with Jesus to spread seeds of shalom wherever we go through our words, our acts of mercy and justice, and our efforts toward healing and restoration. Our tiny contributions scattered widely will sometimes fall on unreceptive ears and hearts, but if we continue to sow the Kingdom through our everyday actions and words, we will see God’s Kingdom sprout and grow.
Take some time to think of small ways you might be able to sow seeds of shalom as you go through your day today. Consider making a list and writing these ideas down.
Now ask the Holy Spirit to give you Kingdom eyes today to see the opportunities for sowing around you. Then get quiet and listen for a while.
What might Jesus be inviting you to do or do differently today?
What will you do about that?
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