Daily Readings - Fri Jul 27 2018
Jeremiah
14Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:15And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.16And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith the LORD, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the LORD: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall that be done any more.17At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.
Matthew
18Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.19When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.20But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;21Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.22He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.23But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Sermon
In today's readings, we hear God's call to return to Him and the importance of how we receive His word. Jeremiah, speaking during the Babylonian exile, urges Israel to repent and promises a future where Jerusalem will be the Throne of the Lord, gathering all nations. This vision of restoration highlights God's enduring love and His desire for His people to return to Him.
In the Gospel, Matthew explains the parable of the sower, illustrating how the condition of our hearts affects our reception of God's word. The roadside represents those who do not understand, the rocky ground those who lack depth, the thorny soil those distracted by worldly cares, and the good soil those who bear fruit. This parable emphasizes the need for a receptive and nurturing heart to cultivate spiritual growth.
Reflecting on these readings, we are reminded to evaluate our own hearts. Are we like the good soil, allowing God's word to take root and flourish? Or do we let the challenges and distractions of life hinder our spiritual growth? Jeremiah's promise of restoration and Jesus' parable call us to remain faithful and rooted in God's love. By doing so, we can bear fruit, living a life that reflects God's presence in the world. Let us strive to cultivate hearts that are open, receptive, and committed to His word.