“But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ Jesus.” Thanks be to God, that the Gospel is not hidden from us who believe in Christ Jesus.

Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word, I preached to you, otherwise, you have believed in vain. 1 Corinthians 2:1,2

Coming to his hometown, Jesus began teaching the people in their synagogues, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? And they were deeply offended and refused to believe in him. Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his own family.” And so, Jesus did only a few miracles there because of their unbelief.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, we may have to sow seeds in God’s field that will thrive among tares. The field is the world; the good seeds are the children of the Kingdom, but the tares are the children of the wicked one. As we try to sow good seeds, the Devil will sow his tares among our good seeds; but fear not, and do not give up; because we understand that there will be a harvest – the end of the world, and at that time, the tares will be gathered and burned, all evil-doers and workers of iniquity will be cast into a furnace of fire, and there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Let us then do all that we can to be among those who will shine as the sun in the Kingdom of God. “Who has ears to hear, let him hear!

Too many people have eyes to see but do not see, and ears to hear and understand, but do not hear. But why?  Scripture reminds us, “For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes, so their eyes cannot see, and their hearts cannot understand, which would enable them to turn from their wicked ways, repent, and allow God to heal them.” But my brothers and sisters in Christ, this is not so with us, For, blessed are our eyes because they see, and our ears because they hear and understand the word of God. Many people would like to see and hear what we hear, but how would they hear, if we are not sowing the good seed, which is God’s Word?

Have you ever really stopped to try to understand the parable of the Sower and the seeds? I believe that the Sower took a handful of seeds and just threw them in the air; because we read in Matthew chapter 13 that, some seeds fell on the path that were eaten by birds; this could be likened to someone who hears the word but does not understand it, and therefore he could be easily swayed by evil people The seed that fell among the rocks had shallow soil, so it sprang up, but quickly died; this could be someone who is not well-rooted but is strong for a little while, but when trouble time comes easily falls away. The seed that fell among the thorns, could be someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the cares of this world, choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil is the one who hears the word and understands it and produces good fruit that has great rewards. My brothers and sisters in Christ, be mindful of where and how you sow your seeds in God’s vineyard.

How many of us could recall as it seemed then, that our parents were always talking to us in parables? They never came out directly and tell us something straightforward; and at the time, to them, we had ears to hear but did not hear nor understand, and eyes to see but did not see. But as we grow older, experience reveals to us, just what our parents were trying to tell us. Now, we find ourselves relaying these things to our children as they now make sense. My brothers and sisters in Christ, so too, scripture reminds us, that some of us are babes in our understanding, but as we grow older, things become clearer. Who have ears to hear, let them hear!

Lord, you showered me with so much goodness today, I don’t even know where to begin to thank you. From the rising of the sun this morning, to the going down of the same this evening, you have blessed me, more than I deserve. Christ my Lord, to you I raise, this my hymn of grateful praise. Lord, I thank you, for showing me, that there is sweetness in trusting you, that there is joy in waiting on you. Lord, I have seen your handiworks, more reason to continue to faithfully walk in your way. Thank you, Lord!

Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30

But beware of men; for they will hand you over to their councils and flog you in their synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me. When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking, it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Matthew 10