October 19, 2008

 Listening, Obeying & Family

Luke 8:4-21  

Luke 8

Parable of the Farmer Scattering Seed

4 One day Jesus told a story in the form of a parable to a large crowd that had gathered from many towns to hear him:5 "A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it.6 Other seed fell among rocks. It began to grow, but the plant soon wilted and died for lack of moisture.7 Other seed fell among thorns that grew up with it and choked out the tender plants.8 Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been planted!" When he had said this, he called out, "Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand."

  9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant.10 He replied, "You are permitted to understand the secrets* of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables to teach the others so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled:



'When they look, they won't really see.

  When they hear, they won't understand.'*



  11 "This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is God's word.12 The seeds that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, only to have the devil come and take it away from their hearts and prevent them from believing and being saved.13 The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don't have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation.14 The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity.15 And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God's word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.



Parable of the Lamp

16 "No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a bowl or hides it under a bed. A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house.17 For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all.

  18 "So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from them."



The True Family of Jesus

19 Then Jesus' mother and brothers came to see him, but they couldn't get to him because of the crowd.20 Someone told Jesus, "Your mother and your brothers are outside, and they want to see you."

  21 Jesus replied, "My mother and my brothers are all those who hear God's word and obey it."

***

Thoughts...

The points that are important here are that we listen....closely....and obey them.  Only THEN are we fully accepted as part of their family.  Only when we have listened and obeyed are we equally yoked.  Only then are we fully one with the Father and our Lord.  Only then will we know true peace that passes understanding.  Only then are we assured and can bask in their love being fully embraced in their arms.  Become one with them today.  And hold them close.  Never let them go.  Hold on to the Light!

*** 

Let Us Pray

Dear Heavenly Father God, Jesus and Holy Spirit.  I want to hear you.  I want to know what it is you are telling me.  What to do and how to do it, but more importantly, I want to learn all about you....because only then can I love you fully for all of who you are, that you are, and learn to know how wonderful you are.  And why I should want to obey you.  I want to be a part of your family.  A family that loves and forgives.  A family that embraces throughout the trials and isn't left alone or cast aside.  Embrace me now, please.  Take me to new heights of knowing you and loving you.  Help me along the way to make time to read the scriptures and spend time talking and listening and praying...not just for myself, but for all those around me and then the world.  But forgive me first, please, so that I may be an open and cleansed vessel to receive you.  I so want to receive you.  Help me to obey you.  And put into practice what I've learned.  Help me be a doer of the word, not just a hearer.  You will help me, I know you will, because I am trying to do all things through you, who strengthens me, and, I love you.  I am making every attempt at being fully accepted as part of your family.  Thank you.....so much.  I am so grateful.  I love you so much. 

  Amen. 

***