Matthew 13:20

What this episode covers

Friday, 26 September 2025   But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; Matthew 13:20   “And the ‘having been sown upon the rocky places,’ this, he is, the ‘the word hearing and immediately with joy receiving it’” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus described the seed that was sown near the path. He next says, “And the ‘having been sown upon the rocky places.’” This type was mentioned in verse 5. What happens to a seed when it is cast on a rocky area? For those who farm, the answer is obvious.    The seed will sprout because there is usually moisture on rocks in the early hours. As such, there is life now coming from the seed. However, this will only last for a while. Unless it is a gray and moist day, the sprout will quickly dry up and die when the heat of the sun blazes on it. Of this seed, Jesus next says, “this, he is, the ‘the word hearing and immediately with joy receiving it.’”    Whether Jesus is referring to people in general, those of Israel who are following Him at the time, or in the context of the Christian church as a mystery being revealed concerning what lies ahead, His words carry a truth that can be seen in any field, vocation, or religious context.   Something is seen, it is appealing, and it is quickly accepted as a goal and received as such.   Life application: Without evaluating the conclusion found in the next verse concerning this sort of person, we can look at our own lives and find examples of this type of person in a given situation.   Suppose you go to the beach with your friends and you see people surfing. It’s the coolest thing you’ve ever seen, and so you quickly rush out to buy a surfboard. You saw what was exciting, a seed of interest germinated in you because of what you saw, and the idea of yourself becoming a surfer starts growing in you.   What will it take to make that goal come about? Think about the innumerable things that will affect your new, excited decision. You get to the surf shop and discover how expensive a new board is. You will have to settle for an old, beat-up one.   You find out that the waves only come at certain times and under certain conditions, so you have to be ready to give up other things when the waves are breaking.   Surfing means looking like an otter floating on the surface to sharks...   The best waves are in the winter, and even with a wetsuit (which is also expensive), you don’t like getting into the cold water.   In finding this and so much more out, you have to decide concerning the pursuit of your new and exciting avenue of life’s adventures. As noted above, this type of thing can also apply to a vocation or a religious experience. Making choices about major goals in life requires thought, commitment, and the expenditure of time and energy.   What will be the result of your decision if your roots are not sunk deeply into the ground? This is what Jesus is explaining to the people of Israel as they prepare to follow the One they have called their Messiah.   Heavenly Father, when people hear about what Jesus has done, there is often a strong and amazingly excited pursuit of Him at first. Will that continue? What is it that will keep them strong in this new direction? Help us to evaluate ourselves as well as those to whom we tell the gospel to. May we be prepared to set our goals and stick to them as we follow Him all our days. Amen.

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