I am a not-so-good amateur gardener. I do my best to keep the lawns mowed and the bushes pruned and the weeds at bay. But all too often time is squeezed by other commitments, and before I know it the weeds are outgrowing the flowering plants and brambles start to appear. Sometimes things even grow in the wrong places – Ash tree saplings appear all over my garden and are hard to control. There is a bare patch in the lawn, which I attempt to re-seed every year, but no matter how much I water, protect, and take care of it, the lawn stubbornly refuses to regrow. The grass seed blows away or is eaten by the birds, or simply fails to germinate.

This is all quite reminiscent of the parable in Matthew 13:1-23. Jesus tells us of a farmer who went out to sow seeds (Matthew 13:3), but rather than focusing on the crops that grew, he tells us that some seeds fell on the path and were eaten by birds (v.4); some fell on rocky ground where it was hard to grow roots (vv. 5-6), and others were choked by thorns (v.7). Only at the end does he go on to say that some seeds did fall on good soil and produce a bumper crop (v.8).

Whilst some in the crowd may have wondered why Jesus was giving them agricultural advice when it was no doubt obvious that not all seeds grow successfully, Jesus explains to his disciples that this is actually a metaphor for the growth of the kingdom of God. The seeds of the gospel are sown with many people. For some it has barely any impact at all, gone before they even think about it properly, snatched away by Satan (v.19). Others receive it enthusiastically at first, but as their faith lacks deep roots it struggles to withstand troubles and difficulties (vv.20-21). Still others are distracted by the attractions of the world (v.22). Finally, there is a group where the Holy Spirit works productively in their lives, and the seed grows well and produces fruit (v.23). 

It can be helpful to reflect on our own faith in the light of this passage, as we seek to be firmly rooted in Christ and bearing the fruit of the Spirit, even when at times we experience trials and distractions. It also shows the value and importance of continuing to sow more seeds and not becoming disheartened if they don’t always grow rapidly or where we expect. The more seeds that are sown, the more will grow to maturity and produce abundant fruit.

Local congregation:
Grace Communion Peterborough
Farcet Village Hall
Main Street
Farcet
Peterborough
PE7 3AN

Meeting time:
Sunday 11.00 am

Local congregational contact:
Richard Dempsey
Email:  richard.dempsey@btinternet.com
Local church website: GRACE COMMUNION CHURCH PETERBOROUGH – Landing Page

Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church