Week 17, Day 3: The Thorny Ground
Today’s Reading: Matthew 15:1-16:28
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
In Matthew chapter 13, Matthew records the beginning of a series of parables that Jesus would use to teach His disciples and the crowds that would listen to Him. One of Jesus’ most famous or popular parables is found in this passage: the parable of the sower. One aspect of this parable is especially important to those who are Christians. In Matthew 13:7, Jesus spoke of the seed that fell among the thorns. The thorns came up and choked the plants that had sprung up. The explanation of this verse is found in Matthew 13:22. The seed fell on soil that would bear fruit, but the thorns (the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches) grow up and choke out the viable plant.
This is perhaps one of the greatest tools that Satan has in his arsenal for use against the faithful. We are susceptible to the worries of this world, and we are often endanger of falling to the deceitfulness of riches! We may be doing just fine as a Christian, when we are suddenly distracted by some financial problem that arises. How often are we distracted from what we should be doing in the Kingdom of God because some unexpected expense arises and we begin to worry about how we will take care of it? Maybe we start using our time to try and make more money. Maybe we start making poor decisions about the use of our money, detracting from our ability to serve God more fully. Whatever the case, we end up getting “choked out” because we become more concerned about the cares of this world than the things that await us in the next life!
These issues can be very difficult for us to block out of our minds. Satan knows that this is the case, which is why he is so effective in using these tools against us. We need to do our very best to focus our minds on the goals that we have set for ourselves as Christians. The goal of eternal life should be our top priority. Anything that interferes with that goal should be cast by the wayside. We need to remember that success (as defined by the world) will not save us in the end. We need to be more concerned about whether we are doing God’s will than whether we are famous, or rich, or popular in this life!
Don’t let the common “thorns” choke out your service to God. Put God first, and everything else will fall into place (Matthew 6:33)!
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