peace . love . joy

'"Hear then the parable of the sower:

When anyone hears the word of the kindgom and doesn't understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.

As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.

As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.

As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty."

~ Matthew 13: 18-23

This was yesterday's lesson, in my group, led by Clarence, for the 16 year olds. It was titled "Spiritual Receptivity". Daunting title, isn't it? But I thought Clarence did a swell job, managing to make sense and hold the fort by himself simultaneously =]

Anyhow, here're some of my thoughts about the passage:

'When anyone hears the word of the kindgom and doesn't understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.'

What does it mean to not 'understand' the 'word of the kingdom'? Sounds pretty simple, you say, well then you think about it and tell me what it means to 'understand', then. Comprehend, to grasp the meaning of, to 'get'. Yes, yes, but what does it mean to comprehend? To grasp the meaning of? To 'get'?

I looked to the next few verses, hoping for some light to be shed on the subject, and I found it, or at least I think I did. I found what it means to 'understand' the 'word of the kingdom'.

'As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.'

Does this second person 'understand'?
I think he went one step further: he 'received it with joy'. In Faith.
But he 'has no root in himself', and enduring for a bit, he backs down and runs away, tail between his legs.
He lacks the 'root'. Virtue & Knowledge.

'As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.'

Does this third person 'understand'?
This one 'hears the word', but is overcome by the world.
He too lacks. Self-control & Steadfastness.

'As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.'

This last person Jesus describes as having heard and understood.
Which means he has it all.

And by reference to the prior verses, I take having heard and understood to be:

Having heard the good news, he received it in Faith, supplementing it with Virtue. And by those, he pursued Knowledge, developing Self-control and Steadfastness. In exercising these pearls and treasures, he sheds his mortal coat in exchange for the robe of Godliness, which in turn aligns his heart with that of the Holy One, filling it with Brotherly Affection. He is engulfed by a wave of Love.

Does it sound like this is for non-Christians and for non-Christians only? To comfort the Christian when he evangelises but receives no immediate visible return?

Simeon Peter, servant and apostle of Jesus the Christ wrote a letter 'to those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ' (aka Christians) in 2 Peter:

'For this very reason, adding your diligence [to the divine promises], employ every effort in exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy), and in [exercising] virtue [develop] knowledge (intelligence), And in [exercising] knowledge [develop] self-control, and in [exercising] self-control [develop] steadfastness (patience, endurance), and in [exercising] steadfastness [develop] godliness (piety), And in [exercising] godliness [develop] brotherly affection, and in [exercising] brotherly affection [develop] Christian love.'

~ 2 Peter 1: 5-7

This advice and exhortation is given to you, Christians. The 'you's here refer to you, Christian.

Do you 'understand' your Faith?