What Are Prables For?

The account in the Gospels of Jesus’ teaching the parable of the sower is sometimes misunderstood. The purpose in discussing the various problems individuals will face as they try to enter into the kingdom of God is to let us know what we need to be prepared to combat.

The passage in no way suggests that we leave these situations and allow the people facing these problems to perish.

The passage ends with the declaration “he that hath an ear to hear, let him hear.” That means pay attention and understand!

What do we need too understand? That we are to be proactive in helping to remedy these problems as they arise. We need to be actively working months after the altar call as much as we do during the salvation process.

The parable is an instruction to become a “gardener.” If the weeds are choking the plants, get out the hoe.

If the birds are snatching away the seed before it can germinate, build a scarecrow.

If the plant has shallow roots, put in support rods and keep the plant watered frequently until they can take hold.

Last Sunday, my teacher spoke about friendship. It was the perfect introduction to discipleship. We must become the friends of those who are trying to find the kingdom of God as their home.

Friendship is not like any other relationship. Other relationships begin without your knowing of the existence of the relationship. Romance, family and any other benevolent situation is not quite like friendship.

You chose to be a friend.

It takes a lot of work. It takes thinking about it. It takes faith that your effort will improve the circumstances and behavior of another person. Friendship is about others.

While this is a simplification, the result is the same for any situation of friendship. It is a selfless act.

So, why not choose to be a friend to a newly repentant person who has been missing from the kingdom?

They can really use a good friend.