Farming in biblical times was not unlike farming methods used this day. In many countries where land holdings are small, heavy machinery cannot be used in the sowing and reaping process. So, picture an average Indian farmer setting out to prepare his field for sowing, breaking up the hard soil and throwing out the large stones and thorny bushes to the outer perimeter, smoothing out the mud, and making furrows in it for scattering the seed. A vivid picture of such a farmer is to be found in Luke 8: 4–8, and the explanation of the parable as told by Jesus in the same chapter, Verses 11-15. It is an allegorical representation of a much larger picture, whose hidden meaning Jesus explained to His hearers.
Think of the soil as the people of the world and the seed as the Word of God. The farmer represents the man or woman who is willing, able and ready to sow the Word in the hearts and minds of people, one who is diligent in his work, obsessed with thoughts of his field and it’s water supply, which represents the follow-up work that needs to be pursued after the planting is completed. The farmer primarily must go out to the land, leaving his comfort zone, and walk out into the hot sun, ready to face the inconveniences and problems he may encounter. Some of the seed fell among the thorns, which means that there was every chance of his stepping on them and hurting himself. People may criticize him and prick him with their harsh words, discouraging him from sowing, but he has to be focused on His task, His calling, and continue the good work.
The diligent farmer or preacher must not have a distorted view of his job and try to garner large gatherings in his church, or look for prospective wealthy donors, or even hold special meetings of humongous proportions. His only aim should be to sow. Look at an ace tennis player. Where is his focus? Will it be on the score board during serves and returns, to see how well he is scoring? No! It will be totally fixed on the ball. Only then can he gain the victory. Similarly, concentrate on getting the message across to the listeners. Take care to protect your crops, provide water, de-weed regularly and follow-up every stage of their growth. Don’t ever dream of reaping a good harvest where you have sowed rotten seed. You will get what you deserve.
Several stages have to be gone through before the harvest
1. Selecting the Seed:
Look how carefully the farmers select their seed. They go for the fast-growing varieties that yield quickly and bountifully, so that maximum gain is obtained, they select the best so that they can reap the most, they go prepared with the sole idea of sowing wealth into their land and reaping the benefits thereof. It is the lazy and careless person who stands to lose the most, therefore, it is important to set out on your task with prayer, seeking God’s guidance in sharing the right thoughts. The seed you scatter should be the word of God, not simply stories and sayings, gathered from here and there. The gospel is the power of God to salvation.
2. Scattering the Seed:
An interesting word in this parable is “Scatter.” To be productive, seeds should not be dumped in one place in a heap, however good the soil may be. They must be scattered if they are to grow to their full potential. It is meaningless to dump your knowledge and learning in someone who is not ready to receive it. However, we must not judge by appearances, as we often do, and look at a person’s face and decide whether they are ready to accept Christ or not. Simply scatter the seeds. You do not know which will sprout. Isaiah 44:3 says, “I will pour water on him who is thirsty and floods on the dry ground,” and
Ecclesiastes, 11:1, “Cast your bread upon the water, for you will find it after many days.” That means God can use what we scatter and multiply them even though we may not see the results straightaway. When we give a portion to 7, it can be stretched to 8 – that’s scattering. Jesus was born in the small town of Bethlehem. His field was Israel, relatively tiny and insignificant compared to its powerful neighbours, but His teaching went out into all the world and the seed He scattered then bears fruit even to this day.
After a whole day of work you come home and flop in a chair and relax. Then there’s a knock on the door or your mobile buzzes. “Can I talk to you for a minute?” the caller asks. You know it’s not going to take a minute. You sense that this is the 8th portion, after the perfect 7. That’s exactly how Jesus interacted with Nichodemus, taking to answer all his questions and opening his understanding of the Scriptures. Surely Jesus was quite exhausted at that point and longing for sleep. Don’t you think He just wanted to wrap things up for the day and go home and relax? No, He wanted that 8th person as well and gave up his own desire for the sake of that additional 8th portion. Many of us go out empty-handed, we don’t carry quality seeds, we blabber something and expect a beautiful harvest. Unless we sit at God’s feet and learn from His word, we will be pathetic farmers. Sitting inside the house in front of the TV cannot make you a soul-winner, however much you may love it. Jesus went out and scattered the good seed, setting a good example for His disciples and followers. He often sowed in tears, weeping for the hardness of hearts of the people and the Pharisees.
Why do many farmers commit suicide? They are in despair because they did not receive the good returns they expected for their heavy investment and labour. But Jesus continued His life’s mission in spite of setbacks. His zeal was not just present gain but bumper harvests in the future.
3. Wasted Seeds:
As the farmer was walking along the furrows, some of the seeds spilled over on the path. Birds swooped in and picked up as many as they could get. Did he say, "What a waste of time, energy and seeds,” and stop his work? He continued scattering nevertheless. Satan works in much the same way as the birds, erasing what people hear and read before it gets imprinted on their heart and mind. So, it is important for them to meditate and memorize, jot down notes in a book, and share their gleanings with someone else so that it is impossible for Satan to take it away. Sometimes when our efforts don't bear the expected results and people don't respond the way we envisioned, we become discouraged and stop our work in that place, thinking, "Maybe this is not my gift." Just remember you don't need a gift to scatter seeds or wisdom to judge the condition of the soil. You simply need to scatter the seed everywhere and God will give the growth.
4. Seeds on Rocky Soil:
The seed also fell on rocky ground where the soil was scanty. It supported growth for a short while and there was a spurt of life, but due to the shallow soil, the roots could not go deep and their journey stopped right there – this happens with some people too. They receive the gospel message enthusiastically when they first hear it. The response is joyful and they are happy and positive for some time, but when they have to face trouble in their life, they become dejected and give up on the faith they started out with.
5. Seeds among Weeds:
Unfortunately, the good seed is strangled by the weeds that have sprung up alongside. The farmer was unaware that there were weeds in his field, because at that point, the weeds were also seeds. But when the grain had sprouted, then the tares also appeared, for while he slept, an enemy came and sowed tares. So, it was clearly the work of the enemy (Mt 13:25-28). When trials and persecutions come their way, they need to recognise the source and be strong in their faith.
6. Seeds on Good soil:
Let us not get discouraged when our plans don't work out the way we would have liked. Though some of the seeds get dispersed chaotically, still much of them fall where they were supposed to fall and yield a bumper harvest much to the joy of the diligent farmer. So, it is vital to "sow your seed in the morning and in the evening, for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good" (Eccl 11:6). You never know when the prodigal will repent and turn from his evil ways; the woman who lost her precious coin could find it at any moment; the shepherd will come rejoicing with his wayward sheep and return it to its fold. Heaven too rejoices over one sinner who repents (Lk 15:7). Each and every seed is precious in the sight of God. The foremost task of the farmer is to sow it.
Quite often, people who were ardent at one time fall into an insipid way of life without producing fruit rather than living as bold dynamic Christians. Their thinking is, "Let's not go overboard. We are living in this world and should not go to extremes. I don't want to be called crazy. I want to avoid dissension and squabbles at home." They placate themselves into a coma-like state and simply give up because of the scorching sun of trouble and persecution. Still others progress for some time and grow rapidly in the faith. Then as time passes, they are overcome by ambition to get on in the world, give in to peer pressure, worry about exams, fall in love with the wrong person, driven to own a huge house and the latest car, all the while trying to save money for their children’s marriage and grandchildren, and over-working to achieve their goals. Though they know the Word, they don't want to practise it by denying themselves. Worries, wealth and wants are the thorns that choke a person’s spirit.
At every stage we need God's wisdom and benevolence. We need the former rain while planting and also the latter rain before the harvest, when the Israelites went into captivity, they wept tears of anguish. People must have mocked them saying, 'If your God is so great, why are you in captivity.’ Their jeering must have been hard to bear, but in spite of being surrounded by their enemies who were like stones and thorns around them, they continued to sow. Surely, they would have remembered the words of Psalm 126:5,6: “Those who sow in tears shall reap with joy; He who goes forth weeping bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless return with rejoicing, bearing his sheaves with him.”
Even in the face of adversity, simply do your duty and sow. The farmer should not sit on his stockpile hoping to multiply them. Many people behave in a similar fashion; they buy various translations and study Bibles but don't read them. They collect dust on the shelf. They go to church with itching ears, hoping to hear what they want, and when they don't, they walk away disgruntled and annoyed. They listen to various doctrines, feed on unhealthy deceptive teachings, store everything in their heads and become spiritual fatsos with no real substance. On the contrary, they need to learn from God's word, collect His precious seed and disperse it to the people so that they can become spiritually trim and healthy.
The field is the most important business of the church, and laziness and apathy the greatest enemies of it. To catch fish, you have to go out to sea, not dangle a line in the bathroom tub. Don't spend too much time on the mundane things of life which will snatch your attention and prevent you from reaching out to people in need. Though we may not realize it, God's plan for us is that we should all be farmers, doing His work of sowing spiritual seed. But quite often, tears and weeping are associated with that task.
The reasons are many:
1. It could be a clash of your desires. You want to do something else but God calls you to sow. Thus, the disappointment.
2. Ill health keeps you from going. You are in anguish because you really want to go but are forced to stay back. Or, in spite of pain, weakness or weariness, you resolve to go, bearing the discomfort and sowing in tears.
3. Your present situation could be unfavourable, and make you weep just like the Jews who were enslaved by their captors, yet, their tears earned for them a Darius and a Cyrus, mighty rulers who were sympathetic to their plight, and as Esther who delivered them from certain destruction. Tears and weeping have the power to move God's hand.
4. Opposition from a person close to you, like a spouse or a family member can make you fearful and prevent you from going out. Fear of consequences, the trauma of losing a job, persecution and hatred can also cause distress and weeping.
There is a constant tug-of-war on our time, our interests, natural desires, our penchant for the things of the world rather than the things of God. But remember that it is God's word alone that is the true seed which will germinate and produce a 100-fold. Many of us are not clear about the kingdom message. Read the tract, "Blessing for you" and share its message with others. It is not about healing or how God will bless you. It is not just stories and testimonies. It is the Word of Life that Jesus sowed saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of God is near."
Jesus taught by the wayside and not all who heard were receptive to His teachings. Some of His words fell on deaf ears and stony hearts, and some among thorns, like the Pharisees who laughed Him to scorn, and the rich young ruler who turned his back on Jesus because he loved riches more than anything else. Good soil was minimal in many of the scenarios, but it was up to the soil what it wanted to do with the seed strangle it, crush it, deprive it of nourishment or else accept it gladly and do its best to make it flourish. Mary, the sister of Martha, sat joyfully at Jesus' feet and took in all that He taught like thirsty land yearning for water. She stored every grain of wisdom in her heart. Her devotion is still being held up as an example even today.
So, sowing is a full-time job, not to be taken lightly. The demands on your time and energy will be never-ending and often exasperating. Just when you get up in the morning, a beggar calls. You drop some money into his bowl and share the gospel. While serving breakfast for the family, the phone rings. The caller cries that he's got cancer and needs prayer. After lunch, you get away writing an article. In the evening, the children are playing outside with the neighbour's kids, so you call them in, teach them a song, tell them a story and share the good news. Doing this as often as possible makes the teaching sink in better. At night, you take your Bible and get the seeds ready for the next day. Jesus welcomed a visitor in the night - Nicodemus. He did not send him off, telling him to fix an appointment first before coming. No! He sowed the seeds, and we know that they grew in good soil because, later on, in John 19:39, we read that this same Nicodemus, who was a Pharisee, brought myrrh and aloes to anoint the body of Jesus – An outward expression of an inward change.
while scattering the seed the farmer is quite apprehensive. Will he get a good harvest? Will his precious seed be lost to drought, natural calamities, wild animals, insects, weeds and thieves, or will his efforts be recompensed with a generous yield? His troubling thoughts do not prevent him from completing his job and taking care of his field.
Barren soil can be turned into fertile soil. All is not lost. With the proper care, it can be enriched and made to flourish, just as Israel turned parts of the Negev desert into a productive area simply by irrigating it. So too, people who are receptive to the gospel message will take root below and bear fruit above. They listen and learn and don't get choked by the worries that enter their lives. They learn to say "No" to promotions that will hinder their spiritual progress, "No" to ambition that will take them away from their families, "No" to anything that will choke their spiritual life. They grow up as excellent believers practicing what they read, memorised and meditated upon and producing a crop some 30, 60, and even a 100-fold. The banyan is just a tiny seed when planted but grows to be a giant, useful to both man and beast. When we share our resources or do social work, it is like a seed that is planted, small, weak and insignificant. God's Word alone has the capacity to grow like a Banyan tree, with far reaching significance and power. So, when we sow spiritual seed, both the sower and the reaper will rejoice together, for both have benefited (Jn 4:36,37). Sow bountifully so that you can reap bountifully (2 Cor 9:6).
The diligent farmer is now glad that he lost so that he could gain, that he wept so that he could rejoice, that he laboured in order that he could rest. Let us "look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross" (Heb 12:2).
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, 8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
Farming in biblical times was not unlike farming methods used this day. In many countries where land holdings are small, heavy machinery cannot be used in the sowing and reaping process. So, picture an average Indian farmer setting out to prepare his field for sowing, breaking up the hard soil and throwing out the large stones and thorny bushes to the outer perimeter, smoothing out the mud, and making furrows in it for scattering the seed. A vivid picture of such a farmer is to be found in Luke 8: 4–8, and the explanation of the parable as told by Jesus in the same chapter, Verses 11-15. It is an allegorical representation of a much larger picture, whose hidden meaning Jesus explained to His hearers.
Think of the soil as the people of the world and the seed as the Word of God. The farmer represents the man or woman who is willing, able and ready to sow the Word in the hearts and minds of people, one who is diligent in his work, obsessed with thoughts of his field and it’s water supply, which represents the follow-up work that needs to be pursued after the planting is completed. The farmer primarily must go out to the land, leaving his comfort zone, and walk out into the hot sun, ready to face the inconveniences and problems he may encounter. Some of the seed fell among the thorns, which means that there was every chance of his stepping on them and hurting himself. People may criticize him and prick him with their harsh words, discouraging him from sowing, but he has to be focused on His task, His calling, and continue the good work.
The diligent farmer or preacher must not have a distorted view of his job and try to garner large gatherings in his church, or look for prospective wealthy donors, or even hold special meetings of humongous proportions. His only aim should be to sow. Look at an ace tennis player. Where is his focus? Will it be on the score board during serves and returns, to see how well he is scoring? No! It will be totally fixed on the ball. Only then can he gain the victory. Similarly, concentrate on getting the message across to the listeners. Take care to protect your crops, provide water, de-weed regularly and follow-up every stage of their growth. Don’t ever dream of reaping a good harvest where you have sowed rotten seed. You will get what you deserve.
Several stages have to be gone through before the harvest
1. Selecting the Seed:
Look how carefully the farmers select their seed. They go for the fast-growing varieties that yield quickly and bountifully, so that maximum gain is obtained, they select the best so that they can reap the most, they go prepared with the sole idea of sowing wealth into their land and reaping the benefits thereof. It is the lazy and careless person who stands to lose the most, therefore, it is important to set out on your task with prayer, seeking God’s guidance in sharing the right thoughts. The seed you scatter should be the word of God, not simply stories and sayings, gathered from here and there. The gospel is the power of God to salvation.
2. Scattering the Seed:
An interesting word in this parable is “Scatter.” To be productive, seeds should not be dumped in one place in a heap, however good the soil may be. They must be scattered if they are to grow to their full potential. It is meaningless to dump your knowledge and learning in someone who is not ready to receive it. However, we must not judge by appearances, as we often do, and look at a person’s face and decide whether they are ready to accept Christ or not. Simply scatter the seeds. You do not know which will sprout. Isaiah 44:3 says, “I will pour water on him who is thirsty and floods on the dry ground,” and
Ecclesiastes, 11:1, “Cast your bread upon the water, for you will find it after many days.” That means God can use what we scatter and multiply them even though we may not see the results straightaway. When we give a portion to 7, it can be stretched to 8 – that’s scattering. Jesus was born in the small town of Bethlehem. His field was Israel, relatively tiny and insignificant compared to its powerful neighbours, but His teaching went out into all the world and the seed He scattered then bears fruit even to this day.
After a whole day of work you come home and flop in a chair and relax. Then there’s a knock on the door or your mobile buzzes. “Can I talk to you for a minute?” the caller asks. You know it’s not going to take a minute. You sense that this is the 8th portion, after the perfect 7. That’s exactly how Jesus interacted with Nichodemus, taking to answer all his questions and opening his understanding of the Scriptures. Surely Jesus was quite exhausted at that point and longing for sleep. Don’t you think He just wanted to wrap things up for the day and go home and relax? No, He wanted that 8th person as well and gave up his own desire for the sake of that additional 8th portion. Many of us go out empty-handed, we don’t carry quality seeds, we blabber something and expect a beautiful harvest. Unless we sit at God’s feet and learn from His word, we will be pathetic farmers. Sitting inside the house in front of the TV cannot make you a soul-winner, however much you may love it. Jesus went out and scattered the good seed, setting a good example for His disciples and followers. He often sowed in tears, weeping for the hardness of hearts of the people and the Pharisees.
Why do many farmers commit suicide? They are in despair because they did not receive the good returns they expected for their heavy investment and labour. But Jesus continued His life’s mission in spite of setbacks. His zeal was not just present gain but bumper harvests in the future.
3. Wasted Seeds:
As the farmer was walking along the furrows, some of the seeds spilled over on the path. Birds swooped in and picked up as many as they could get. Did he say, "What a waste of time, energy and seeds,” and stop his work? He continued scattering nevertheless. Satan works in much the same way as the birds, erasing what people hear and read before it gets imprinted on their heart and mind. So, it is important for them to meditate and memorize, jot down notes in a book, and share their gleanings with someone else so that it is impossible for Satan to take it away. Sometimes when our efforts don't bear the expected results and people don't respond the way we envisioned, we become discouraged and stop our work in that place, thinking, "Maybe this is not my gift." Just remember you don't need a gift to scatter seeds or wisdom to judge the condition of the soil. You simply need to scatter the seed everywhere and God will give the growth.
4. Seeds on Rocky Soil:
The seed also fell on rocky ground where the soil was scanty. It supported growth for a short while and there was a spurt of life, but due to the shallow soil, the roots could not go deep and their journey stopped right there – this happens with some people too. They receive the gospel message enthusiastically when they first hear it. The response is joyful and they are happy and positive for some time, but when they have to face trouble in their life, they become dejected and give up on the faith they started out with.
5. Seeds among Weeds:
Unfortunately, the good seed is strangled by the weeds that have sprung up alongside. The farmer was unaware that there were weeds in his field, because at that point, the weeds were also seeds. But when the grain had sprouted, then the tares also appeared, for while he slept, an enemy came and sowed tares. So, it was clearly the work of the enemy (Mt 13:25-28). When trials and persecutions come their way, they need to recognise the source and be strong in their faith.
6. Seeds on Good soil:
Let us not get discouraged when our plans don't work out the way we would have liked. Though some of the seeds get dispersed chaotically, still much of them fall where they were supposed to fall and yield a bumper harvest much to the joy of the diligent farmer. So, it is vital to "sow your seed in the morning and in the evening, for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good" (Eccl 11:6). You never know when the prodigal will repent and turn from his evil ways; the woman who lost her precious coin could find it at any moment; the shepherd will come rejoicing with his wayward sheep and return it to its fold. Heaven too rejoices over one sinner who repents (Lk 15:7). Each and every seed is precious in the sight of God. The foremost task of the farmer is to sow it.
Quite often, people who were ardent at one time fall into an insipid way of life without producing fruit rather than living as bold dynamic Christians. Their thinking is, "Let's not go overboard. We are living in this world and should not go to extremes. I don't want to be called crazy. I want to avoid dissension and squabbles at home." They placate themselves into a coma-like state and simply give up because of the scorching sun of trouble and persecution. Still others progress for some time and grow rapidly in the faith. Then as time passes, they are overcome by ambition to get on in the world, give in to peer pressure, worry about exams, fall in love with the wrong person, driven to own a huge house and the latest car, all the while trying to save money for their children’s marriage and grandchildren, and over-working to achieve their goals. Though they know the Word, they don't want to practise it by denying themselves. Worries, wealth and wants are the thorns that choke a person’s spirit.
At every stage we need God's wisdom and benevolence. We need the former rain while planting and also the latter rain before the harvest, when the Israelites went into captivity, they wept tears of anguish. People must have mocked them saying, 'If your God is so great, why are you in captivity.’ Their jeering must have been hard to bear, but in spite of being surrounded by their enemies who were like stones and thorns around them, they continued to sow. Surely, they would have remembered the words of Psalm 126:5,6: “Those who sow in tears shall reap with joy; He who goes forth weeping bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless return with rejoicing, bearing his sheaves with him.”
Even in the face of adversity, simply do your duty and sow. The farmer should not sit on his stockpile hoping to multiply them. Many people behave in a similar fashion; they buy various translations and study Bibles but don't read them. They collect dust on the shelf. They go to church with itching ears, hoping to hear what they want, and when they don't, they walk away disgruntled and annoyed. They listen to various doctrines, feed on unhealthy deceptive teachings, store everything in their heads and become spiritual fatsos with no real substance. On the contrary, they need to learn from God's word, collect His precious seed and disperse it to the people so that they can become spiritually trim and healthy.
The field is the most important business of the church, and laziness and apathy the greatest enemies of it. To catch fish, you have to go out to sea, not dangle a line in the bathroom tub. Don't spend too much time on the mundane things of life which will snatch your attention and prevent you from reaching out to people in need. Though we may not realize it, God's plan for us is that we should all be farmers, doing His work of sowing spiritual seed. But quite often, tears and weeping are associated with that task.
The reasons are many:
1. It could be a clash of your desires. You want to do something else but God calls you to sow. Thus, the disappointment.
2. Ill health keeps you from going. You are in anguish because you really want to go but are forced to stay back. Or, in spite of pain, weakness or weariness, you resolve to go, bearing the discomfort and sowing in tears.
3. Your present situation could be unfavourable, and make you weep just like the Jews who were enslaved by their captors, yet, their tears earned for them a Darius and a Cyrus, mighty rulers who were sympathetic to their plight, and as Esther who delivered them from certain destruction. Tears and weeping have the power to move God's hand.
4. Opposition from a person close to you, like a spouse or a family member can make you fearful and prevent you from going out. Fear of consequences, the trauma of losing a job, persecution and hatred can also cause distress and weeping.
There is a constant tug-of-war on our time, our interests, natural desires, our penchant for the things of the world rather than the things of God. But remember that it is God's word alone that is the true seed which will germinate and produce a 100-fold. Many of us are not clear about the kingdom message. Read the tract, "Blessing for you" and share its message with others. It is not about healing or how God will bless you. It is not just stories and testimonies. It is the Word of Life that Jesus sowed saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of God is near."
Jesus taught by the wayside and not all who heard were receptive to His teachings. Some of His words fell on deaf ears and stony hearts, and some among thorns, like the Pharisees who laughed Him to scorn, and the rich young ruler who turned his back on Jesus because he loved riches more than anything else. Good soil was minimal in many of the scenarios, but it was up to the soil what it wanted to do with the seed strangle it, crush it, deprive it of nourishment or else accept it gladly and do its best to make it flourish. Mary, the sister of Martha, sat joyfully at Jesus' feet and took in all that He taught like thirsty land yearning for water. She stored every grain of wisdom in her heart. Her devotion is still being held up as an example even today.
So, sowing is a full-time job, not to be taken lightly. The demands on your time and energy will be never-ending and often exasperating. Just when you get up in the morning, a beggar calls. You drop some money into his bowl and share the gospel. While serving breakfast for the family, the phone rings. The caller cries that he's got cancer and needs prayer. After lunch, you get away writing an article. In the evening, the children are playing outside with the neighbour's kids, so you call them in, teach them a song, tell them a story and share the good news. Doing this as often as possible makes the teaching sink in better. At night, you take your Bible and get the seeds ready for the next day. Jesus welcomed a visitor in the night - Nicodemus. He did not send him off, telling him to fix an appointment first before coming. No! He sowed the seeds, and we know that they grew in good soil because, later on, in John 19:39, we read that this same Nicodemus, who was a Pharisee, brought myrrh and aloes to anoint the body of Jesus – An outward expression of an inward change.
while scattering the seed the farmer is quite apprehensive. Will he get a good harvest? Will his precious seed be lost to drought, natural calamities, wild animals, insects, weeds and thieves, or will his efforts be recompensed with a generous yield? His troubling thoughts do not prevent him from completing his job and taking care of his field.
Barren soil can be turned into fertile soil. All is not lost. With the proper care, it can be enriched and made to flourish, just as Israel turned parts of the Negev desert into a productive area simply by irrigating it. So too, people who are receptive to the gospel message will take root below and bear fruit above. They listen and learn and don't get choked by the worries that enter their lives. They learn to say "No" to promotions that will hinder their spiritual progress, "No" to ambition that will take them away from their families, "No" to anything that will choke their spiritual life. They grow up as excellent believers practicing what they read, memorised and meditated upon and producing a crop some 30, 60, and even a 100-fold. The banyan is just a tiny seed when planted but grows to be a giant, useful to both man and beast. When we share our resources or do social work, it is like a seed that is planted, small, weak and insignificant. God's Word alone has the capacity to grow like a Banyan tree, with far reaching significance and power. So, when we sow spiritual seed, both the sower and the reaper will rejoice together, for both have benefited (Jn 4:36,37). Sow bountifully so that you can reap bountifully (2 Cor 9:6).
The diligent farmer is now glad that he lost so that he could gain, that he wept so that he could rejoice, that he laboured in order that he could rest. Let us "look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross" (Heb 12:2).
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, Mob:8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
