Home > Reading > NALC Devotions – November 21, 2017

Today’s readings: Ezra 5:1-17; Revelation 4:1-11; Matthew 13:1-9

We recently planted some seeds. Unfortunately, only a few of the seeds seem to be sprouting; the rest were either eaten by the birds or just did not have enough soil to sprout. Some seeds sprouted very quickly but then withered in the heat, while others were choked by the weeds.

Jesus uses a similar scenario to illustrate that many of us just do not get it. We read the Bible, hear the sermons, go to church, and yet, our lives are not altered and hearts are not shaken. We argue that the Bible is just too confusing, wishing Jesus would make things a little clearer. I hate to say this, folks. It does not get any plainer than the Word.

The seed is God’s precious Word. We are the soil and Jesus is the farmer who works through pastors and teachers of the Word. The “seed” is sown and some of us simply choose not to let it grow in our hearts, lose our zeal, or let worldly philosophies and empty fears choke it right out of us. “For this people’s heart has become calloused…”

Prayer: Lord, let our hearts be good soil, open to the seed of your Word. Amen.

Today’s devotion was written by Heidi Punt, Pastor of Christ United Lutheran Church in Granite Falls, NC.

• Archive of NALC Devotions   • Original image   • Click any of our Scripture graphics to enlarge and save for use in bulletins, newsletters, blogs, and websites.

One Comment, RSS

  • Pastor Heidi Punt,
    Truly words of wisdom. Many of which I have heard over the years as to how the seed lands. Looking at many who attend church thinking that being inside the building and singing a few hymns and sleeping through the sermon makes us Christians. But if we spend most of our time in a garage, does that make us a car? I think not. We need to be the good fertile soil, that our hearts and souls will take the good seed and flourish. Our love and zeal for carrying God’s word should never diminish over time, but just the opposite, it should become mightier.