Sow

He who reaps receives wages and gathers fruit to eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together – John 4:36

Photo by Pexels.com

What is the Gospel? The Gospel or the Book of the Gospel comes from the Arabic Al - Injil, Greek Euangelion, which means GOOD NEWS (Good news about Jesus Christ so it can also be called news of joy, news of peace, news of salvation). In the Bible there are 4 gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Why are these books included in the gospels? Because they present the narrative of Jesus Christ from His birth to His resurrection. In Matthew 28:19, it states "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. The message of these words is the great commission of the Lord Jesus Christ to mankind.

Who has the right to preach the gospel? Of course, all believers are obliged to convey and preach this gospel. In carrying out the task of evangelism, it will be effective if the gospel lives in us, meaning that the produced fruits can bring impact to others. People may listen to our advice, guidance, sermons, teachings, but what is truly felt and seen is our actions. Therefore, the gospel must truly live in us and we should live in the gospel. Preaching the gospel is like a sower sowing seed. John tells the story of the sower, Jesus, who sowed the seed to the Samaritan woman, and the seed that was sown produced the results (truth) that the Samaritan woman reaped. The truth is that the sower and the reaper both rejoice.

Preaching the gospel is not just words, but a whole life given to sowing righteousness through all aspects of life. Jesus Christ is an example of a true sower who is willing to give his life as a seed to be sown so that we as a people reap salvation. Indeed, sowing is a hard time. Psalm 126:5-6 states "Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them."

If in this life, we are not given the opportunity to reap what we sow, remember God's promise in Matthew 5:11-12: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

The preaching of the gospel is not like a seed that waits for harvest time to reap, but is carried out at every moment and time must be preached. Not just preaching, but we should really live surrendered to God. Carrying the cross of God is full of challenges and trials, but if you surrender to God, there will be hope and miracles will be revealed because in every storm of life, there must be a beautiful rainbow waiting. Proverbs 3:5-6 states “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Reflection Questions:

1. Who sowed the seeds of good news in your life? 

     Do you believe they were sent by God for your salvation?

2. Do you sow good news? What is your experience?

3. Have you ever "reaped" bringing someone to Jesus? What did you feel?

God bless. Amen

Reflection on John 4: 27-54 by Aldo Tridarma Mona

 

Qui seminat (Mt. 13:3)

We have a saying that goes this way: “Ignorance of the law excuses no one.” That even if we don’t know this particular existing law, this does not exempt us from it because we can inquire and look for information regarding this matter. Just like in our gospel today which is the parable of the sower.

This parable and other parables of Jesus are being told and retold so that His teaching will remain forever in our minds and in our hearts. So, we have no reason to say ‘No’ to Him.

Jesus was really a great preacher and teacher because He spoke in the language of the people so that the people would understand Him. He used stories, made comparisons, and used examples, all from the everyday life of the people He was speaking to.

The seed in today’s parable is the word of God and it falls on different types of ground. The sower is God Himself. Some grounds are good. Some are too thorny and too rocky and some of the ground is the footpath. These different types of ground represent different followers in the church.

The Word of God is not like ordinary information such as the weather forecast. God’s word is like rain on the earth, or like the seed. It changes things. When it is alive; it needs, like all living things an environment that will support it. It interacts: it makes possible something new, the seed dies to its life as a seed and becomes a plant and eventually is harvested.

If we allow ourselves to be nourished by prayer and by God’s word, the result is remarkable. Normally 10% is regarded as a good return on seed sown. But here Jesus promises 30, 60 or even 100%. What commercial bank today would give such a return for the investment?

Growth and healing take place when we see ourselves as God sees us.

“Lord Jesus, we pray that the soil of our lives may be very rich so that when the seed of your word falls into it, it may bear much fruit and help to bring about your kingdom on earth. Amen”

 

By Fr. Rajesh Minz, UK.