WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.540 Friends, would you please be seated. 00:00:16.280 --> 00:00:19.120 Do any of y'all remember the story of the tortoise and the hare? 00:00:19.120 --> 00:00:19.120 00:00:19.780 --> 00:00:21.339 One of Aesop's fables. 00:00:21.339 --> 00:00:24.420 Nod your head if you remember it. 00:00:24.420 --> 00:00:29.019 Remember the moral of the story is slow and steady wins the race. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.759 Because the hare burns himself out going way too fast. 00:00:33.479 --> 00:00:38.179 And as a hare who's married to a tortoise, this is actually a really hard one for me. 00:00:38.620 --> 00:00:41.539 Maybe some of your hares also and you can relate to this. 00:00:42.219 --> 00:00:45.200 Or think about the story of the boy who cried wolf, right? 00:00:45.759 --> 00:00:47.700 The kid is not truthful. 00:00:48.200 --> 00:00:51.320 And so he's always kind of making up these stories about wolves are coming. 00:00:51.320 --> 00:00:54.000 And so when the wolves do really come, nobody believes him. 00:00:54.780 --> 00:00:58.519 And then he gets eaten, which is pretty dark. 00:00:58.520 --> 00:00:59.240 But we remember. 00:00:59.460 --> 00:01:00.940 We remember the story, don't we? 00:01:00.960 --> 00:01:01.400 We remember. 00:01:01.540 --> 00:01:02.260 We tell the truth. 00:01:02.359 --> 00:01:03.140 Like, that's the goal. 00:01:03.640 --> 00:01:04.480 That's the takeaway. 00:01:05.200 --> 00:01:09.820 And I'm sure we can think of tons of other stories that are woven into our imaginations. 00:01:10.719 --> 00:01:13.420 And most of these do have like a single takeaway. 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:14.520 Like, be patient. 00:01:15.219 --> 00:01:15.840 Be kind. 00:01:15.920 --> 00:01:16.359 Be gracious. 00:01:16.560 --> 00:01:17.500 Look beneath the surface. 00:01:17.500 --> 00:01:24.319 And a lot of Jesus' parables are deep in our cultural fabric too. 00:01:25.379 --> 00:01:30.780 Many of us have grown up hearing these parables taught a lot like fables. 00:01:31.439 --> 00:01:33.760 We're exhorted to be a good Samaritan. 00:01:34.240 --> 00:01:37.180 Or we call irresponsible or wayward people prodigals. 00:01:38.000 --> 00:01:39.980 And that's not entirely wrong. 00:01:40.620 --> 00:01:40.879 Okay? 00:01:40.879 --> 00:01:45.259 But when we do this, we're reducing the parable to one thing. 00:01:45.739 --> 00:01:47.519 And we often miss the big picture. 00:01:48.500 --> 00:01:52.459 And friends, the big picture is that Jesus wasn't dispensing life advice. 00:01:53.019 --> 00:01:57.099 He was trying to show his listeners something about God's in-breaking kingdom. 00:01:58.099 --> 00:02:00.819 He wasn't trying to get his listeners to be good people. 00:02:01.459 --> 00:02:03.919 He was trying to get them to be his people. 00:02:03.920 --> 00:02:06.760 And the same is true for us. 00:02:07.920 --> 00:02:13.580 So the first question we need to ask when we approach a parable like the one that Lisa just read is, 00:02:13.819 --> 00:02:16.860 what does this parable teach us about the kingdom of God? 00:02:17.879 --> 00:02:22.139 And only after we've considered that question from different angles can we ask, 00:02:22.659 --> 00:02:24.139 what does the parable mean for me? 00:02:25.479 --> 00:02:26.580 So would you pray with me? 00:02:29.300 --> 00:02:31.360 Lord, we thank you for your word. 00:02:31.360 --> 00:02:37.500 Lord, we thank you that your word accomplishes what you desire. 00:02:38.760 --> 00:02:40.700 And so, Lord, would you give us ears to hear? 00:02:41.720 --> 00:02:43.380 Would we be attentive to how you're moving? 00:02:44.820 --> 00:02:46.020 Would we listen well? 00:02:46.580 --> 00:02:48.360 And would you speak to us this morning? 00:02:49.480 --> 00:02:52.280 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 00:02:53.360 --> 00:02:53.700 Amen. 00:02:56.040 --> 00:03:00.180 So first, what does this parable teach us about the kingdom of God? 00:03:01.360 --> 00:03:06.600 Well, before we answer that larger question, let's talk about why Jesus preached in parables. 00:03:06.960 --> 00:03:08.020 So a couple reasons. 00:03:08.800 --> 00:03:10.420 And I think the first reason is really simple. 00:03:11.060 --> 00:03:13.280 So we remember stories, right? 00:03:13.320 --> 00:03:18.380 There's a lot of research out there about how we remember things, what our brain is able to retain. 00:03:19.080 --> 00:03:20.760 And overall, we're pretty forgetful. 00:03:20.759 --> 00:03:28.579 I think I read somewhere that we only hear about 5%, or we only remember about 5% of what we hear, 00:03:29.079 --> 00:03:33.000 which is kind of a bummer when you think about it, right? 00:03:33.079 --> 00:03:37.919 But that number goes way up if we are hearing something in stories, 00:03:38.099 --> 00:03:40.219 because we connect to stories emotionally. 00:03:40.479 --> 00:03:43.759 When it's something that we relate to, we can remember, right? 00:03:43.759 --> 00:03:46.539 Our brains love a good story. 00:03:47.199 --> 00:03:49.679 My spiritual director has been a priest for 50 years. 00:03:50.219 --> 00:03:53.780 And for 50 years, his wife has been saying to him as he leaves the house to go preach, 00:03:53.979 --> 00:03:57.939 don't forget to tell a story, because she knows this, right? 00:03:58.659 --> 00:04:01.759 And when I brought up all those fables, I saw you all nodding your heads. 00:04:01.859 --> 00:04:02.979 You remember these stories. 00:04:03.159 --> 00:04:07.859 You don't remember the list of ingredients from the last recipe you made, or your grocery list. 00:04:07.860 --> 00:04:09.680 But we remember stories. 00:04:10.160 --> 00:04:12.380 And I think it's safe to say that Jesus knew this. 00:04:12.520 --> 00:04:13.640 He knew how we were created. 00:04:13.800 --> 00:04:15.200 He knew how our brains were wired. 00:04:15.820 --> 00:04:19.139 And he was an excellent communicator and a great preacher. 00:04:20.340 --> 00:04:24.379 And he used plain language and imagery that would have made sense to his listeners 00:04:24.379 --> 00:04:26.900 and felt relevant, that they could connect to. 00:04:28.180 --> 00:04:31.759 The parables always used these simple, everyday scenes 00:04:31.759 --> 00:04:38.000 that were really specific to the time and place that Jesus was operating in 00:04:38.000 --> 00:04:39.360 when he was in the flesh. 00:04:40.039 --> 00:04:43.719 And I can imagine Jesus preaching to us today, doing something similar, 00:04:44.759 --> 00:04:48.899 saying something like, when you're at school and you're in the classroom, 00:04:49.620 --> 00:04:54.560 or when you're at work, when you're home having dinner with your family, right? 00:04:55.519 --> 00:05:00.920 And he always chose the story and the characters very specifically. 00:05:01.759 --> 00:05:03.759 Often in response to something. 00:05:05.279 --> 00:05:09.759 And this particular parable comes almost exactly in the middle of Matthew's gospel. 00:05:10.680 --> 00:05:15.019 In the preceding chapters, Matthew has shown us in many different ways 00:05:15.019 --> 00:05:17.639 how people have rejected Jesus' message. 00:05:19.159 --> 00:05:24.539 So the first takeaway here is that Jesus tells this parable to answer a question, why? 00:05:25.319 --> 00:05:30.039 Why did so many people reject his message about the kingdom of God? 00:05:30.040 --> 00:05:36.720 And he quotes the prophet Isaiah in verses 14 and 15 to explain this to the disciples. 00:05:37.939 --> 00:05:40.000 He says their hearts are so hard. 00:05:41.520 --> 00:05:44.660 And while Jesus is offering an explanation to the disciples, 00:05:44.939 --> 00:05:48.960 he says this specifically to the disciples about why people weren't receiving his message, 00:05:49.640 --> 00:05:53.680 he told the parable to the larger crowd that was following him, 00:05:53.680 --> 00:05:59.139 hopefully to wake people up, to get them to listen another way, 00:05:59.900 --> 00:06:02.939 to reframe assumptions and understandings. 00:06:03.480 --> 00:06:05.540 That's true of almost all the parables. 00:06:06.600 --> 00:06:11.740 There are these everyday scenes, but a lot of times there's something unexpected that happens, 00:06:11.879 --> 00:06:13.340 that people would have heard and said, 00:06:13.579 --> 00:06:16.579 wait a second, I don't know about that. 00:06:16.579 --> 00:06:20.339 Or it was designed to make you think. 00:06:20.939 --> 00:06:22.459 Remember what Jesus says at the end, 00:06:22.579 --> 00:06:25.620 he who has ears to hear, let him hear. 00:06:26.219 --> 00:06:28.879 So he says this to the crowd to say like, 00:06:29.680 --> 00:06:32.819 if you really sit with this, something's going on. 00:06:33.479 --> 00:06:34.279 Think about it. 00:06:36.479 --> 00:06:38.360 Theologian Amy Jill Levine writes, 00:06:38.360 --> 00:07:06.960 Friends, the point here is that Jesus wasn't going around giving life hacks or morality lessons. 00:07:06.959 --> 00:07:08.439 He was telling people to get ready, 00:07:09.199 --> 00:07:13.139 that they can choose to participate in something that's eternally significant. 00:07:14.839 --> 00:07:16.500 And it's no different for us. 00:07:19.259 --> 00:07:22.859 Okay, so why were so many people rejecting him 00:07:22.859 --> 00:07:25.120 when what he had on offer was so good? 00:07:26.120 --> 00:07:27.839 Participation in the kingdom of heaven. 00:07:28.819 --> 00:07:30.399 Why were people hard-hearted? 00:07:31.519 --> 00:07:33.919 So let's turn to the images he uses here. 00:07:33.920 --> 00:07:40.699 And this scene of a seed and a sower was very common in agrarian society. 00:07:41.439 --> 00:07:44.259 But it was also deeply spiritually significant. 00:07:45.580 --> 00:07:49.640 Both Jesus and his listeners were steeped in the Hebrew scriptures. 00:07:50.360 --> 00:07:52.600 So they would have connected to this on two levels. 00:07:54.139 --> 00:07:56.460 So let's talk about the characters in the parable. 00:07:56.819 --> 00:07:59.300 The seed, the sower, and the soil. 00:07:59.300 --> 00:08:02.560 And what each shows us about Jesus' kingdom. 00:08:04.460 --> 00:08:08.340 This passage from Isaiah that Sharon read is just one example 00:08:08.340 --> 00:08:11.420 where the scriptures compare God's word to seed. 00:08:11.860 --> 00:08:13.420 But we see this a lot in scripture. 00:08:13.420 --> 00:08:43.279 So in this parable, the message of the kingdom of heaven, 00:08:43.419 --> 00:08:44.360 is the seed. 00:08:45.199 --> 00:08:47.839 And that would have tracked with what Jesus' listeners expected. 00:08:48.879 --> 00:08:50.039 They knew this. 00:08:50.819 --> 00:08:54.379 But what they didn't expect was the form of delivery. 00:08:55.559 --> 00:08:57.000 Jesus himself. 00:08:58.579 --> 00:09:01.360 Most people expected the Messiah to show up 00:09:01.360 --> 00:09:03.979 as a conquering political hero in the physical sense. 00:09:04.759 --> 00:09:06.199 They didn't expect Jesus. 00:09:06.200 --> 00:09:09.759 And I think a lot of us do something similar. 00:09:09.920 --> 00:09:13.620 We tend to impose our own expectations on Jesus and his kingdom. 00:09:14.660 --> 00:09:18.720 And when we do that, we can end up pretty far from who he actually is. 00:09:19.800 --> 00:09:23.920 So here's a quick check to see if this is something you might be struggling with. 00:09:24.800 --> 00:09:25.740 Let me ask you a question. 00:09:26.020 --> 00:09:28.140 Does Jesus agree with you about everything? 00:09:30.140 --> 00:09:31.420 I mean, does he? 00:09:31.419 --> 00:09:36.819 Because if he does, you might have the wrong Jesus. 00:09:37.000 --> 00:09:38.299 You probably have the wrong Jesus. 00:09:39.139 --> 00:09:41.240 And I won't get the exact quote right, 00:09:41.459 --> 00:09:43.759 but I remember reading something Beth Moore wrote once. 00:09:43.919 --> 00:09:45.240 I don't even remember where it was. 00:09:45.299 --> 00:09:45.979 I know it was her. 00:09:46.459 --> 00:09:47.639 Along the lines of, 00:09:48.439 --> 00:09:51.539 sometimes I think Jesus must hear our prayers and our conversations 00:09:51.539 --> 00:09:53.059 and think, are you talking to me? 00:09:53.360 --> 00:09:56.919 Because I'm not recognizing myself in this conversation. 00:09:56.919 --> 00:10:03.019 So the first thing this image of seed shows us about the kingdom of God 00:10:03.019 --> 00:10:05.039 is that Jesus is the word. 00:10:05.659 --> 00:10:09.019 He is the kingdom incarnate in the flesh. 00:10:09.459 --> 00:10:12.939 He is the fulfillment and the climax of Israel's story, 00:10:13.539 --> 00:10:15.559 as Tim Mackey of the Bible Project says. 00:10:16.699 --> 00:10:19.240 And friends, he's the climax and the fulfillment 00:10:19.240 --> 00:10:21.399 and the hero of our stories too. 00:10:24.219 --> 00:10:25.559 So that's the seed. 00:10:25.559 --> 00:10:26.879 Let's talk about the sower. 00:10:28.479 --> 00:10:32.459 And interestingly, Jesus doesn't specifically identify who the sower is. 00:10:32.899 --> 00:10:35.919 But based on the rest of the story, we can draw some conclusions. 00:10:37.659 --> 00:10:38.739 God is the sower. 00:10:39.559 --> 00:10:41.479 Again, people that knew the Old Testament, 00:10:41.779 --> 00:10:43.299 the Hebrew scriptures knew this. 00:10:44.199 --> 00:10:46.199 The Isaiah 55 passage references. 00:10:46.679 --> 00:10:47.919 And this was what people expected. 00:10:49.739 --> 00:10:51.959 And as we saw above, Jesus is the seed. 00:10:52.619 --> 00:10:54.619 But he's also showing in this parable, 00:10:54.620 --> 00:10:56.399 he's also the sower. 00:10:57.539 --> 00:10:59.580 And coming as the word incarnate, 00:11:00.000 --> 00:11:04.139 he is replanting all that has been uprooted in Israel's history, 00:11:04.299 --> 00:11:06.320 all the brokenness around him. 00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:10.419 He's healing it, making it whole, replanting that seed. 00:11:10.720 --> 00:11:13.480 And he's extending the opportunity to participate 00:11:13.480 --> 00:11:17.799 in the kingdom of heaven beyond Israel to everyone, 00:11:18.580 --> 00:11:19.419 to us. 00:11:19.419 --> 00:11:21.959 He's scattering the seed everywhere. 00:11:23.079 --> 00:11:24.939 So the second thing that shows us 00:11:24.939 --> 00:11:27.639 is that the kingdom is available to everyone. 00:11:28.240 --> 00:11:29.259 It is generous. 00:11:30.059 --> 00:11:30.860 And it is abundant. 00:11:30.860 --> 00:11:35.200 So lastly, the soil. 00:11:36.120 --> 00:11:38.740 This is where Jesus really answers that question of why. 00:11:38.980 --> 00:11:40.620 Why the rejection of his message. 00:11:41.680 --> 00:11:44.220 And we see that there are three bad types of soil, 00:11:44.419 --> 00:11:47.419 three types of soil that are inhospitable to growth. 00:11:47.779 --> 00:11:49.060 And there's one good type. 00:11:49.059 --> 00:11:52.579 And these illustrate the third principle, 00:11:53.619 --> 00:11:57.079 which is that while the kingdom of heaven is generous and abundant, 00:11:57.939 --> 00:11:59.839 even in the person of Jesus Christ, 00:12:00.779 --> 00:12:02.519 some will choose to reject it. 00:12:02.519 --> 00:12:08.559 So now that we understand more about what Jesus was illustrating here, 00:12:09.100 --> 00:12:10.480 that he is the word incarnate, 00:12:10.879 --> 00:12:12.379 that he's generous with his word, 00:12:12.939 --> 00:12:15.939 and that people can choose to accept or reject his kingdom, 00:12:16.659 --> 00:12:21.439 what does this parable mean for Jesus' listeners and for us? 00:12:23.539 --> 00:12:25.240 Well, let's come back to the soil. 00:12:26.860 --> 00:12:28.620 Jesus was speaking to a Jewish audience 00:12:28.620 --> 00:12:30.679 who assumed that they were good soil 00:12:30.679 --> 00:12:32.019 because they were the Israelites. 00:12:33.340 --> 00:12:34.360 God's chosen people. 00:12:35.500 --> 00:12:37.019 And I think we do this too. 00:12:37.319 --> 00:12:39.659 We tend to focus on our external actions, 00:12:40.360 --> 00:12:41.360 maybe our credentialing. 00:12:42.480 --> 00:12:44.259 But Jesus makes it clear 00:12:44.259 --> 00:12:46.220 that being part of his kingdom 00:12:46.220 --> 00:12:48.460 and being good soil 00:12:48.460 --> 00:12:50.220 means bearing fruit. 00:12:51.240 --> 00:12:54.039 It's not just about knowing things about Jesus. 00:12:54.919 --> 00:12:57.860 It's about hearing and obeying. 00:12:58.860 --> 00:13:01.240 And bearing fruit happens from the inside out. 00:13:01.240 --> 00:13:04.680 It's not a checklist of things we should be doing. 00:13:06.299 --> 00:13:07.700 It comes from the heart. 00:13:07.700 --> 00:13:12.180 So let's look at each of these types of soil 00:13:12.180 --> 00:13:15.100 and we can link them up to a heart posture. 00:13:15.100 --> 00:13:19.080 So the first one that Jesus talks about 00:13:19.080 --> 00:13:22.200 is those who hear but don't understand 00:13:22.200 --> 00:13:23.899 are the rocky path. 00:13:23.899 --> 00:13:27.659 I think sometimes we hear something like this 00:13:27.659 --> 00:13:28.259 and we think, 00:13:29.259 --> 00:13:30.480 but if someone doesn't understand, 00:13:30.919 --> 00:13:32.379 it's not their fault. 00:13:33.740 --> 00:13:35.759 But Jesus is casting this as someone 00:13:35.759 --> 00:13:38.199 who has an opportunity to understand 00:13:38.200 --> 00:13:41.320 but doesn't take the time necessary 00:13:41.320 --> 00:13:42.980 to let the word take root. 00:13:43.660 --> 00:13:46.660 How much space and thought and time 00:13:46.660 --> 00:13:48.920 are we giving to the word of God? 00:13:50.420 --> 00:13:52.840 These are people that reject the word outright. 00:13:53.960 --> 00:13:55.580 Again, this other part of Isaiah. 00:13:55.580 --> 00:13:59.160 Isaiah, seek the Lord while he may be found. 00:13:59.360 --> 00:14:01.879 Call on him while he is near. 00:14:02.820 --> 00:14:04.860 Let the wicked forsake their ways 00:14:04.860 --> 00:14:06.580 and the unrighteous their thoughts. 00:14:07.360 --> 00:14:08.940 Let them turn to the Lord 00:14:08.940 --> 00:14:10.780 and he will have mercy on them 00:14:10.780 --> 00:14:12.240 and to our God, 00:14:12.680 --> 00:14:13.940 for he will freely pardon. 00:14:16.220 --> 00:14:17.660 Isaiah's putting the responsibility 00:14:17.660 --> 00:14:18.920 to seek God 00:14:18.920 --> 00:14:20.620 and to turn from wickedness 00:14:20.620 --> 00:14:22.020 squarely on us, 00:14:22.860 --> 00:14:24.140 rejecting him as a choice. 00:14:24.139 --> 00:14:28.279 That's what that first soil shows us. 00:14:28.779 --> 00:14:30.039 And the second type of soil 00:14:30.039 --> 00:14:33.000 is those who receive the word with joy, 00:14:33.699 --> 00:14:35.059 but then they wither away 00:14:35.059 --> 00:14:36.960 when their faith is challenged. 00:14:38.299 --> 00:14:39.779 They don't persevere. 00:14:42.439 --> 00:14:44.199 Now, the way that Matthew writes this 00:14:44.199 --> 00:14:45.439 is that this is persecution 00:14:45.439 --> 00:14:46.539 directly followed, 00:14:47.580 --> 00:14:49.899 directly related to being a follower of Jesus. 00:14:51.200 --> 00:14:51.899 And this was something 00:14:51.899 --> 00:14:53.159 that a lot of Matthew's readers 00:14:53.159 --> 00:14:54.419 would have been dealing with 00:14:54.419 --> 00:14:56.699 at the time that they heard this gospel. 00:14:59.759 --> 00:15:01.659 And it could be another type of hardship 00:15:01.659 --> 00:15:03.980 related to our lives 00:15:03.980 --> 00:15:05.079 as followers of Jesus. 00:15:06.959 --> 00:15:08.240 But the emphasis here 00:15:08.240 --> 00:15:09.919 is on things that happen to us 00:15:09.919 --> 00:15:12.219 that call into question 00:15:12.219 --> 00:15:14.559 whether we really believe 00:15:14.559 --> 00:15:16.339 if Jesus is who he says he is. 00:15:16.340 --> 00:15:19.340 So when something happens, 00:15:21.639 --> 00:15:23.240 whether it's a job loss 00:15:23.240 --> 00:15:24.480 or a broken relationship, 00:15:26.040 --> 00:15:26.860 a diagnosis, 00:15:28.519 --> 00:15:29.580 suffering, pain, 00:15:30.220 --> 00:15:31.300 some kind of persecution, 00:15:32.600 --> 00:15:34.840 do we doubt the character of Jesus? 00:15:36.800 --> 00:15:37.820 Do we say, 00:15:38.200 --> 00:15:39.200 it must not have been true? 00:15:39.200 --> 00:15:42.140 Or do we say, 00:15:42.300 --> 00:15:42.580 Lord, 00:15:43.580 --> 00:15:45.140 hold me fast 00:15:45.140 --> 00:15:47.379 and shelter me in this storm 00:15:47.379 --> 00:15:48.360 and strengthen me. 00:15:49.600 --> 00:15:51.460 Would you show me where you are 00:15:51.460 --> 00:15:52.860 in the midst of this? 00:15:52.960 --> 00:15:53.980 Would you show me 00:15:53.980 --> 00:15:56.580 what you're calling me to? 00:15:59.080 --> 00:16:00.820 Do we trust what Jesus says 00:16:00.820 --> 00:16:02.620 to his disciples in John 14? 00:16:02.620 --> 00:16:04.399 In this world, 00:16:04.500 --> 00:16:05.340 you will have trouble. 00:16:06.519 --> 00:16:07.360 But take heart. 00:16:08.240 --> 00:16:09.580 I have overcome the world. 00:16:12.600 --> 00:16:13.860 The third soil 00:16:13.860 --> 00:16:15.799 is those who get choked 00:16:15.799 --> 00:16:16.700 by distractions 00:16:16.700 --> 00:16:17.879 and cares of the world. 00:16:18.419 --> 00:16:20.060 So there is some sort of growth 00:16:20.060 --> 00:16:20.940 happening here, 00:16:21.259 --> 00:16:22.940 but there's no fruit on the plant. 00:16:23.600 --> 00:16:24.360 It's unhealthy 00:16:24.360 --> 00:16:25.179 and it's anemic. 00:16:26.039 --> 00:16:27.240 It's not flourishing. 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:30.659 And friends, 00:16:30.720 --> 00:16:31.779 this is the human condition. 00:16:32.620 --> 00:16:33.940 We're distracted 00:16:33.940 --> 00:16:35.060 and we're drawn 00:16:35.060 --> 00:16:36.120 to things that 00:16:36.120 --> 00:16:37.539 are quick, 00:16:38.220 --> 00:16:39.200 that are easy, 00:16:39.379 --> 00:16:40.539 or we think 00:16:40.539 --> 00:16:41.220 that if we 00:16:41.220 --> 00:16:42.960 have a certain circumstance, 00:16:43.720 --> 00:16:46.019 then it'll solve our problems, 00:16:46.480 --> 00:16:47.820 that we'll be content. 00:16:50.360 --> 00:16:51.799 And I'll never forget 00:16:51.799 --> 00:16:52.899 something that Pastor Thomas 00:16:52.899 --> 00:16:54.139 said in our wedding homily 00:16:54.139 --> 00:16:54.919 when Tom and I 00:16:54.919 --> 00:16:56.320 got married 10 years ago. 00:16:57.120 --> 00:16:57.860 He said, 00:16:57.860 --> 00:16:59.100 marriage doesn't make 00:16:59.100 --> 00:17:00.220 contentment possible. 00:17:01.000 --> 00:17:01.639 Contentment 00:17:01.639 --> 00:17:02.860 makes marriage 00:17:02.860 --> 00:17:03.379 possible. 00:17:04.559 --> 00:17:05.740 And you could fill in 00:17:05.740 --> 00:17:06.680 anything for marriage 00:17:06.680 --> 00:17:07.440 in that statement. 00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:08.639 A job, 00:17:08.879 --> 00:17:09.619 having more money, 00:17:10.660 --> 00:17:11.359 buying a house, 00:17:11.480 --> 00:17:12.539 having certain friends, 00:17:13.039 --> 00:17:15.019 whatever it is. 00:17:15.900 --> 00:17:17.039 We have a tendency 00:17:17.039 --> 00:17:17.859 to think that 00:17:17.859 --> 00:17:18.879 our circumstances, 00:17:19.139 --> 00:17:19.799 which are always 00:17:19.799 --> 00:17:20.319 shifting, 00:17:20.960 --> 00:17:21.799 are what we draw 00:17:21.799 --> 00:17:22.759 contentment from. 00:17:24.119 --> 00:17:25.299 But contentment 00:17:25.299 --> 00:17:26.339 comes from our creator. 00:17:26.339 --> 00:17:29.279 St. Augustine 00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:30.240 famously said, 00:17:30.379 --> 00:17:31.839 thou hast formed us 00:17:31.839 --> 00:17:32.919 for thyself, 00:17:33.419 --> 00:17:34.220 and our hearts 00:17:34.220 --> 00:17:34.879 are restless 00:17:34.879 --> 00:17:36.720 till they find 00:17:36.720 --> 00:17:37.959 rest in thee. 00:17:40.759 --> 00:17:41.599 And friends, 00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:42.439 those who find 00:17:42.439 --> 00:17:43.419 rest in the Lord 00:17:43.419 --> 00:17:44.939 are good soil. 00:17:46.119 --> 00:17:46.899 They produce 00:17:46.899 --> 00:17:47.720 good crops. 00:17:49.179 --> 00:17:49.879 And here's the thing, 00:17:49.959 --> 00:17:50.819 crops take time 00:17:50.819 --> 00:17:51.359 to grow. 00:17:52.439 --> 00:17:53.059 So the seeds 00:17:53.059 --> 00:17:53.659 might be planted 00:17:53.660 --> 00:17:54.680 for a long time 00:17:54.680 --> 00:17:56.720 before we see growth. 00:17:58.120 --> 00:17:59.100 Especially an abundant 00:17:59.100 --> 00:18:00.080 harvest like Jesus 00:18:00.080 --> 00:18:01.000 is talking about. 00:18:01.660 --> 00:18:03.400 It's not a fast process. 00:18:04.900 --> 00:18:05.400 God's kingdom 00:18:05.400 --> 00:18:06.060 is patient. 00:18:08.540 --> 00:18:09.800 And producing a crop 00:18:09.800 --> 00:18:10.580 is generative. 00:18:10.720 --> 00:18:11.660 It's self-replicating, 00:18:11.759 --> 00:18:11.980 right? 00:18:12.220 --> 00:18:13.600 So I am not a gardener. 00:18:14.100 --> 00:18:15.000 I have never planted 00:18:15.000 --> 00:18:16.360 anything that has lived 00:18:16.360 --> 00:18:19.120 ever in my life, 00:18:19.180 --> 00:18:19.460 actually. 00:18:19.460 --> 00:18:22.000 I just feel like 00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:22.559 I should be honest 00:18:22.559 --> 00:18:23.059 about that. 00:18:24.920 --> 00:18:25.799 Not physically. 00:18:27.519 --> 00:18:29.180 But I know 00:18:29.180 --> 00:18:30.660 that when you have crops, 00:18:30.759 --> 00:18:31.700 when you have fruit, 00:18:32.140 --> 00:18:33.640 that they also have seed, 00:18:33.860 --> 00:18:34.180 right? 00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:36.200 So as crops flower, 00:18:36.500 --> 00:18:37.579 as you bring in the harvest, 00:18:37.720 --> 00:18:38.559 then you have more 00:18:38.559 --> 00:18:39.440 and more seed. 00:18:40.920 --> 00:18:41.880 And so the implication 00:18:41.880 --> 00:18:43.140 is that we get 00:18:43.140 --> 00:18:44.120 to join Jesus 00:18:44.120 --> 00:18:45.480 in being sowers 00:18:45.480 --> 00:18:46.759 because as our crops 00:18:46.759 --> 00:18:48.420 produce seed, 00:18:48.420 --> 00:18:49.860 then we get to replant 00:18:49.860 --> 00:18:51.100 and re-sow the seed 00:18:51.100 --> 00:18:51.720 with Jesus. 00:18:52.519 --> 00:18:53.560 He sends us out 00:18:53.560 --> 00:18:54.380 as sowers. 00:18:56.460 --> 00:18:57.820 So what does it look like 00:18:57.820 --> 00:18:58.779 to sow seed 00:18:58.779 --> 00:18:59.560 and to participate? 00:19:00.960 --> 00:19:02.100 How do we get there? 00:19:02.259 --> 00:19:03.500 How do we get to that point 00:19:03.500 --> 00:19:04.060 of producing 00:19:04.060 --> 00:19:04.860 this incredibly 00:19:04.860 --> 00:19:05.680 abundant crop? 00:19:07.259 --> 00:19:07.900 First, 00:19:08.460 --> 00:19:09.980 we cultivate good soil 00:19:09.980 --> 00:19:11.019 in our own lives. 00:19:12.259 --> 00:19:13.259 So we cultivate 00:19:13.259 --> 00:19:14.060 understanding 00:19:14.060 --> 00:19:15.500 rather than 00:19:15.500 --> 00:19:16.640 a lack of understanding. 00:19:18.420 --> 00:19:20.060 So what does this mean? 00:19:20.779 --> 00:19:21.600 You can have a lot 00:19:21.600 --> 00:19:22.320 of knowledge 00:19:22.320 --> 00:19:23.940 but not understand 00:19:23.940 --> 00:19:24.560 something. 00:19:24.980 --> 00:19:25.860 There's a difference. 00:19:26.660 --> 00:19:27.500 The people that Jesus 00:19:27.500 --> 00:19:28.539 was addressing here 00:19:28.539 --> 00:19:30.060 knew a lot about God 00:19:30.060 --> 00:19:31.279 in most cases. 00:19:32.340 --> 00:19:33.539 But a lot of times 00:19:33.539 --> 00:19:34.080 they were missing 00:19:34.080 --> 00:19:35.120 the larger points 00:19:35.120 --> 00:19:36.180 of God's kingdom. 00:19:38.180 --> 00:19:40.100 So relationships 00:19:40.100 --> 00:19:41.100 require time. 00:19:41.740 --> 00:19:42.660 It's not just like 00:19:42.660 --> 00:19:43.980 driver's license stats, 00:19:44.080 --> 00:19:44.300 right? 00:19:44.380 --> 00:19:44.580 You know, 00:19:44.600 --> 00:19:45.440 your driver's license 00:19:45.440 --> 00:19:45.900 that has like 00:19:45.900 --> 00:19:46.400 your eye color, 00:19:46.539 --> 00:19:46.940 your hair, 00:19:47.080 --> 00:19:47.580 your weight, 00:19:48.059 --> 00:19:48.500 your height. 00:19:49.180 --> 00:19:50.360 But that doesn't mean 00:19:50.360 --> 00:19:51.240 somebody knows you 00:19:51.240 --> 00:19:51.940 just because they look 00:19:51.940 --> 00:19:53.019 at your driver's license, 00:19:53.120 --> 00:19:53.380 right? 00:19:55.700 --> 00:19:56.700 So a relationship 00:19:56.700 --> 00:19:57.519 takes time. 00:19:57.960 --> 00:19:58.960 Understanding God 00:19:58.960 --> 00:20:00.259 takes time. 00:20:01.519 --> 00:20:02.360 It means we have 00:20:02.360 --> 00:20:03.160 to learn to listen 00:20:03.160 --> 00:20:04.120 and we have to learn 00:20:04.120 --> 00:20:04.860 to sit with Him. 00:20:06.860 --> 00:20:08.420 And it's okay 00:20:08.420 --> 00:20:09.140 to put an appointment 00:20:09.140 --> 00:20:09.840 time with God 00:20:09.840 --> 00:20:10.500 on your calendar. 00:20:10.799 --> 00:20:11.480 Block it off. 00:20:12.019 --> 00:20:13.299 The same way you would 00:20:13.299 --> 00:20:14.620 meeting with somebody else. 00:20:15.440 --> 00:20:18.539 We can also cultivate 00:20:18.539 --> 00:20:19.779 faith that lasts 00:20:19.779 --> 00:20:21.000 rather than faith 00:20:21.000 --> 00:20:21.680 that withers. 00:20:23.200 --> 00:20:24.360 We do that 00:20:24.360 --> 00:20:25.539 through the sacraments. 00:20:26.539 --> 00:20:27.500 We come to the table. 00:20:28.360 --> 00:20:29.440 We receive the Eucharist 00:20:29.440 --> 00:20:29.960 every week. 00:20:30.980 --> 00:20:32.660 We join with one another 00:20:32.660 --> 00:20:34.420 in worshiping the Lord. 00:20:35.600 --> 00:20:36.720 We read the scriptures 00:20:36.720 --> 00:20:37.320 together 00:20:37.320 --> 00:20:38.400 and on our own. 00:20:39.519 --> 00:20:40.200 And these things 00:20:40.200 --> 00:20:41.200 strengthen us. 00:20:41.940 --> 00:20:42.680 They help our roots 00:20:42.680 --> 00:20:43.220 be deep. 00:20:43.220 --> 00:20:45.299 they help our soil 00:20:45.299 --> 00:20:45.819 be deep. 00:20:46.839 --> 00:20:47.480 These things are 00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:48.279 a long obedience 00:20:48.279 --> 00:20:49.339 in the same direction 00:20:49.339 --> 00:20:50.980 as Pastor Eugene 00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:52.019 Peterson says. 00:20:54.519 --> 00:20:55.680 And we cultivate 00:20:55.680 --> 00:20:56.640 a quiet life 00:20:56.640 --> 00:20:58.299 rather than a life 00:20:58.299 --> 00:20:59.160 choked by worry 00:20:59.160 --> 00:20:59.779 and distraction. 00:21:01.480 --> 00:21:02.680 So something to consider 00:21:02.680 --> 00:21:04.680 your inputs. 00:21:05.360 --> 00:21:05.799 What are you 00:21:05.799 --> 00:21:06.539 marinating in? 00:21:06.600 --> 00:21:07.819 What are you soaking in 00:21:07.819 --> 00:21:09.059 on a daily basis? 00:21:09.059 --> 00:21:11.339 And we probably 00:21:11.339 --> 00:21:11.839 remember 00:21:11.839 --> 00:21:12.639 what the beginning 00:21:12.639 --> 00:21:13.919 of 2020 was like 00:21:13.919 --> 00:21:15.179 when the pandemic 00:21:15.179 --> 00:21:15.980 started to shut 00:21:15.980 --> 00:21:16.839 everything down, 00:21:16.919 --> 00:21:17.179 right? 00:21:17.619 --> 00:21:18.700 And there was so much 00:21:18.700 --> 00:21:19.419 we didn't know. 00:21:20.179 --> 00:21:21.079 Like news reports 00:21:21.079 --> 00:21:21.679 were coming out 00:21:21.679 --> 00:21:22.079 every day 00:21:22.079 --> 00:21:22.579 and it seemed like 00:21:22.579 --> 00:21:22.960 things were 00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:24.240 really quickly 00:21:24.240 --> 00:21:25.899 shifting all the time. 00:21:26.619 --> 00:21:27.539 And there was just 00:21:27.539 --> 00:21:28.240 an anxiety 00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:29.279 in the air, 00:21:29.399 --> 00:21:29.659 right? 00:21:30.319 --> 00:21:31.159 And I remember 00:21:31.159 --> 00:21:32.079 personally starting 00:21:32.079 --> 00:21:32.819 every day 00:21:32.819 --> 00:21:34.039 by looking at the news 00:21:34.039 --> 00:21:35.000 and then I would 00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:35.859 check that website. 00:21:36.059 --> 00:21:36.440 I don't know if y'all 00:21:36.440 --> 00:21:37.119 remember the website, 00:21:37.119 --> 00:21:37.779 but there was the 00:21:37.779 --> 00:21:38.859 World Health Organization 00:21:38.859 --> 00:21:40.419 website where it had 00:21:40.419 --> 00:21:40.959 like the number 00:21:40.959 --> 00:21:42.379 of new COVID cases 00:21:42.379 --> 00:21:43.439 every day 00:21:43.439 --> 00:21:44.659 tracking how many 00:21:44.659 --> 00:21:45.519 cases there were. 00:21:47.139 --> 00:21:48.279 And I remember 00:21:48.279 --> 00:21:49.679 Tom and I were 00:21:49.679 --> 00:21:50.359 walking the dogs 00:21:50.359 --> 00:21:50.839 one morning. 00:21:50.959 --> 00:21:51.539 This was probably 00:21:51.539 --> 00:21:52.159 like a month 00:21:52.159 --> 00:21:53.039 into the pandemic. 00:21:54.059 --> 00:21:54.679 And of course 00:21:54.679 --> 00:21:55.219 we had already 00:21:55.219 --> 00:21:56.439 been online reading 00:21:56.439 --> 00:21:57.299 as much as we could. 00:21:58.379 --> 00:21:59.799 And we just noticed 00:21:59.799 --> 00:22:01.759 this really deeply 00:22:01.759 --> 00:22:03.000 anxious response 00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:04.459 in ourselves. 00:22:04.659 --> 00:22:05.159 We could feel it 00:22:05.159 --> 00:22:05.719 in our bodies. 00:22:05.720 --> 00:22:06.940 we felt like 00:22:06.940 --> 00:22:07.380 our minds 00:22:07.380 --> 00:22:08.000 were distracted 00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:09.720 and we felt like 00:22:09.720 --> 00:22:10.180 we needed to 00:22:10.180 --> 00:22:11.240 reorient ourselves. 00:22:12.819 --> 00:22:13.480 And I remember 00:22:13.480 --> 00:22:14.680 around that same time 00:22:14.680 --> 00:22:16.839 we started an online 00:22:16.839 --> 00:22:17.920 Bible study 00:22:17.920 --> 00:22:18.960 in the book of Acts 00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:20.400 at Advent. 00:22:20.559 --> 00:22:21.039 Some of you guys 00:22:21.039 --> 00:22:21.700 might remember this. 00:22:21.740 --> 00:22:22.220 And we would just 00:22:22.220 --> 00:22:23.620 Zoom and read 00:22:23.620 --> 00:22:24.779 a passage from Acts 00:22:24.779 --> 00:22:26.039 and I think it was 00:22:26.039 --> 00:22:26.799 like at 7.30 00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:27.279 or 8 o'clock 00:22:27.279 --> 00:22:27.640 in the morning 00:22:27.640 --> 00:22:28.559 so it was first thing. 00:22:29.640 --> 00:22:30.079 And then we would 00:22:30.079 --> 00:22:30.759 just talk about it 00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:31.380 for a little while. 00:22:31.380 --> 00:22:33.640 And that was 00:22:33.640 --> 00:22:34.240 so important 00:22:34.240 --> 00:22:35.560 for us 00:22:35.560 --> 00:22:36.640 in reorienting 00:22:36.640 --> 00:22:37.280 ourselves 00:22:37.280 --> 00:22:38.020 to the word 00:22:38.020 --> 00:22:38.520 of God 00:22:38.520 --> 00:22:39.760 to what was true. 00:22:40.500 --> 00:22:41.020 And it's not 00:22:41.020 --> 00:22:41.800 that this other stuff 00:22:41.800 --> 00:22:42.620 wasn't true too 00:22:42.620 --> 00:22:44.100 but it was like 00:22:44.100 --> 00:22:45.120 what's our focus? 00:22:45.380 --> 00:22:46.220 Where's our gaze? 00:22:48.300 --> 00:22:49.180 And it was hard 00:22:49.180 --> 00:22:49.720 to do 00:22:49.720 --> 00:22:51.020 but it was necessary 00:22:51.020 --> 00:22:51.900 for our souls. 00:22:52.920 --> 00:22:53.380 And the thing is 00:22:53.380 --> 00:22:54.060 it didn't change 00:22:54.060 --> 00:22:54.680 how informed 00:22:54.680 --> 00:22:55.280 we were 00:22:55.280 --> 00:22:56.680 shifting this way 00:22:56.680 --> 00:22:57.460 shifting our day 00:22:57.460 --> 00:22:57.880 around 00:22:57.880 --> 00:22:59.100 but our heart 00:22:59.100 --> 00:23:00.200 posture was different 00:23:00.200 --> 00:23:01.980 because instead 00:23:01.980 --> 00:23:02.880 of coming 00:23:02.880 --> 00:23:04.340 to one another 00:23:04.340 --> 00:23:05.759 and starting the day 00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:07.039 full of anxiety 00:23:07.039 --> 00:23:07.700 and fear 00:23:07.700 --> 00:23:09.519 we were able 00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:10.380 to have conversations 00:23:10.380 --> 00:23:11.019 that were rooted 00:23:11.019 --> 00:23:11.680 in the sovereignty 00:23:11.680 --> 00:23:12.580 and love of God 00:23:12.580 --> 00:23:14.279 and in our identity 00:23:14.279 --> 00:23:15.620 as his children. 00:23:17.940 --> 00:23:19.059 So that grinding 00:23:19.059 --> 00:23:19.680 anxiety 00:23:19.680 --> 00:23:20.700 started to lift 00:23:20.700 --> 00:23:21.539 but it was hard. 00:23:22.960 --> 00:23:23.640 It's still a really 00:23:23.640 --> 00:23:24.259 hard time. 00:23:25.360 --> 00:23:25.920 And I think 00:23:25.920 --> 00:23:26.360 that's true 00:23:26.360 --> 00:23:27.080 for a lot of us 00:23:27.080 --> 00:23:27.759 now too. 00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:29.180 It may not be 00:23:29.180 --> 00:23:29.700 as pronounced 00:23:29.700 --> 00:23:30.640 but what's the first 00:23:30.640 --> 00:23:31.100 thing we do 00:23:31.100 --> 00:23:31.559 in the morning 00:23:31.559 --> 00:23:33.000 when we wake up? 00:23:34.100 --> 00:23:34.740 Do we check 00:23:34.740 --> 00:23:35.360 our phones? 00:23:36.039 --> 00:23:37.000 Open our laptops? 00:23:38.259 --> 00:23:39.120 Turn on the TV? 00:23:40.740 --> 00:23:41.299 I mean I checked 00:23:41.299 --> 00:23:41.759 my phone 00:23:41.759 --> 00:23:42.660 first thing this morning 00:23:42.660 --> 00:23:43.279 because I knew 00:23:43.279 --> 00:23:43.720 that I needed 00:23:43.720 --> 00:23:44.400 to text somebody 00:23:44.400 --> 00:23:45.100 about a thing 00:23:45.100 --> 00:23:45.819 and you know 00:23:45.819 --> 00:23:47.180 and we do that 00:23:47.180 --> 00:23:47.700 right? 00:23:48.819 --> 00:23:49.360 But did I really 00:23:49.360 --> 00:23:49.900 need to do that 00:23:49.900 --> 00:23:50.500 first thing? 00:23:52.140 --> 00:23:52.980 Or could I have 00:23:52.980 --> 00:23:54.539 sat right away 00:23:54.539 --> 00:23:55.279 when I woke up 00:23:55.279 --> 00:23:55.980 and asked the Lord 00:23:55.980 --> 00:23:57.059 to orient me to him? 00:23:59.700 --> 00:24:00.620 I wonder 00:24:00.620 --> 00:24:01.100 if that would 00:24:01.100 --> 00:24:01.700 change things 00:24:01.700 --> 00:24:02.180 for us 00:24:02.180 --> 00:24:03.380 if we made 00:24:03.380 --> 00:24:03.819 a practice 00:24:03.819 --> 00:24:04.539 of doing that 00:24:04.539 --> 00:24:07.039 because as we 00:24:07.039 --> 00:24:07.460 cultivate 00:24:07.460 --> 00:24:08.740 this good soil 00:24:08.740 --> 00:24:11.279 as we reorient 00:24:11.279 --> 00:24:11.960 our hearts 00:24:11.960 --> 00:24:13.660 the crop comes 00:24:13.660 --> 00:24:15.200 and then we 00:24:15.200 --> 00:24:15.720 sow seed 00:24:15.720 --> 00:24:16.240 with Jesus 00:24:16.240 --> 00:24:17.440 and our families 00:24:17.440 --> 00:24:19.519 with our friends 00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:20.400 our neighbors 00:24:20.400 --> 00:24:22.880 and our workplaces 00:24:22.880 --> 00:24:24.620 in the world. 00:24:24.619 --> 00:24:27.779 And here's another 00:24:27.779 --> 00:24:28.739 thing about 00:24:28.739 --> 00:24:29.279 sowing seed 00:24:29.279 --> 00:24:29.739 with Jesus 00:24:29.739 --> 00:24:31.759 you're on a mission 00:24:31.759 --> 00:24:32.239 with him 00:24:32.239 --> 00:24:33.759 and your responsibility 00:24:33.759 --> 00:24:34.899 is the planting 00:24:34.899 --> 00:24:37.039 you're not 00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:37.619 responsible 00:24:37.619 --> 00:24:38.779 for the state 00:24:38.779 --> 00:24:39.539 of other people's 00:24:39.539 --> 00:24:39.779 soil 00:24:39.779 --> 00:24:40.619 that's what Jesus 00:24:40.619 --> 00:24:41.479 is saying here 00:24:41.479 --> 00:24:42.559 some people 00:24:42.559 --> 00:24:43.179 will reject 00:24:43.179 --> 00:24:43.839 the message 00:24:43.839 --> 00:24:46.199 Paul says 00:24:46.199 --> 00:24:47.459 in 1 Corinthians 3 00:24:47.459 --> 00:24:48.699 I planted 00:24:48.699 --> 00:24:50.619 Apollo swattered 00:24:50.619 --> 00:24:52.199 but God 00:24:52.199 --> 00:24:53.839 causes the growth 00:24:53.839 --> 00:24:55.019 so neither 00:24:55.019 --> 00:24:56.139 he who plants 00:24:56.139 --> 00:24:57.619 nor he who waters 00:24:57.619 --> 00:24:58.459 is anything 00:24:58.459 --> 00:25:00.179 but God 00:25:00.179 --> 00:25:01.519 who causes 00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:02.399 the growth 00:25:02.399 --> 00:25:03.799 and friends 00:25:03.799 --> 00:25:04.819 he is faithful 00:25:04.819 --> 00:25:06.740 as Isaiah 00:25:06.740 --> 00:25:07.379 says 00:25:07.379 --> 00:25:08.720 his word 00:25:08.720 --> 00:25:09.740 will not return 00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:10.439 to him empty 00:25:10.439 --> 00:25:11.480 it will accomplish 00:25:11.480 --> 00:25:12.839 what he desires 00:25:12.839 --> 00:25:16.399 so as we close 00:25:16.399 --> 00:25:17.179 I just want to give you 00:25:17.179 --> 00:25:18.000 something to consider 00:25:18.000 --> 00:25:18.659 this week 00:25:18.659 --> 00:25:21.639 I would love 00:25:21.639 --> 00:25:22.699 for all of us 00:25:22.699 --> 00:25:23.919 to take some time 00:25:23.919 --> 00:25:24.619 with this parable 00:25:24.619 --> 00:25:26.259 so it's Matthew 13 00:25:26.259 --> 00:25:28.119 1 through 23 00:25:28.119 --> 00:25:30.519 and try doing 00:25:30.519 --> 00:25:31.419 Lectio Divina 00:25:31.419 --> 00:25:31.899 with it 00:25:31.899 --> 00:25:32.379 now what is 00:25:32.379 --> 00:25:33.039 Lectio Divina 00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:33.939 if you don't know 00:25:33.939 --> 00:25:34.779 that stands for 00:25:34.779 --> 00:25:35.599 divine reading 00:25:35.599 --> 00:25:36.959 and it's an ancient 00:25:36.959 --> 00:25:38.039 way of reading 00:25:38.039 --> 00:25:38.740 the scriptures 00:25:38.740 --> 00:25:39.539 prayerfully 00:25:39.539 --> 00:25:40.720 and in a 00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:42.279 mood of contemplation 00:25:42.279 --> 00:25:43.059 in a space 00:25:43.059 --> 00:25:43.899 of contemplation 00:25:43.899 --> 00:25:44.879 and it suits 00:25:44.879 --> 00:25:45.460 the parables 00:25:45.460 --> 00:25:46.240 really well 00:25:46.240 --> 00:25:46.960 because they're 00:25:46.960 --> 00:25:47.779 actually designed 00:25:47.779 --> 00:25:48.619 for this kind 00:25:48.619 --> 00:25:49.399 of marinating 00:25:49.399 --> 00:25:51.019 and contemplative 00:25:51.019 --> 00:25:51.460 thought 00:25:51.460 --> 00:25:53.960 so what you're 00:25:53.960 --> 00:25:54.259 going to do 00:25:54.259 --> 00:25:54.680 there are different 00:25:54.680 --> 00:25:55.440 ways to do this 00:25:55.440 --> 00:25:56.879 but I would say 00:25:56.879 --> 00:25:57.639 read the scripture 00:25:57.639 --> 00:25:58.759 maybe three times 00:25:58.759 --> 00:26:00.420 just take some time 00:26:00.420 --> 00:26:01.819 read it three times 00:26:01.819 --> 00:26:02.740 so the first time 00:26:02.740 --> 00:26:04.000 as you finish 00:26:04.000 --> 00:26:04.599 reading it 00:26:04.599 --> 00:26:05.779 then just sit 00:26:05.779 --> 00:26:06.659 for a few minutes 00:26:06.660 --> 00:26:08.560 be aware of 00:26:08.560 --> 00:26:09.040 thoughts 00:26:09.040 --> 00:26:09.759 or feelings 00:26:09.759 --> 00:26:10.460 or questions 00:26:10.460 --> 00:26:11.220 or just 00:26:11.220 --> 00:26:12.160 anything that 00:26:12.160 --> 00:26:12.980 comes up for you 00:26:12.980 --> 00:26:14.019 after you've 00:26:14.019 --> 00:26:14.420 read it 00:26:14.420 --> 00:26:17.140 and just sit 00:26:17.140 --> 00:26:17.480 with it 00:26:17.480 --> 00:26:18.140 don't try to 00:26:18.140 --> 00:26:18.900 like think about 00:26:18.900 --> 00:26:19.540 it or immediately 00:26:19.540 --> 00:26:20.140 start chewing 00:26:20.140 --> 00:26:20.640 on it 00:26:20.640 --> 00:26:22.560 and then after 00:26:22.560 --> 00:26:22.980 a few minutes 00:26:22.980 --> 00:26:23.620 read it again 00:26:23.620 --> 00:26:26.140 and this time 00:26:26.140 --> 00:26:27.019 see if like 00:26:27.019 --> 00:26:27.460 a word 00:26:27.460 --> 00:26:28.140 or a phrase 00:26:28.140 --> 00:26:29.019 or a sentence 00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:30.180 a picture 00:26:30.180 --> 00:26:31.080 something really 00:26:31.080 --> 00:26:31.680 kind of 00:26:31.680 --> 00:26:33.240 rises to the 00:26:33.240 --> 00:26:33.480 surface 00:26:33.480 --> 00:26:34.120 for you 00:26:34.119 --> 00:26:38.639 and just 00:26:38.639 --> 00:26:39.259 sit with that 00:26:39.259 --> 00:26:42.799 and then 00:26:42.799 --> 00:26:43.779 the third time 00:26:43.779 --> 00:26:44.419 you read it 00:26:44.419 --> 00:26:47.219 see if the 00:26:47.219 --> 00:26:48.139 Lord is 00:26:48.139 --> 00:26:49.059 asking you 00:26:49.059 --> 00:26:49.579 to do something 00:26:49.579 --> 00:26:50.759 see if there's 00:26:50.759 --> 00:26:51.259 a response 00:26:51.259 --> 00:26:51.779 he's calling 00:26:51.779 --> 00:26:52.159 you to 00:26:52.159 --> 00:26:53.119 see if there's 00:26:53.119 --> 00:26:53.500 something he 00:26:53.500 --> 00:26:53.919 wants you to 00:26:53.919 --> 00:26:54.139 know 00:26:54.139 --> 00:26:54.399 and you're 00:26:54.399 --> 00:26:54.679 praying 00:26:54.679 --> 00:26:54.939 and you're 00:26:54.939 --> 00:26:55.399 checking in 00:26:55.399 --> 00:26:55.619 with the 00:26:55.619 --> 00:26:56.019 Lord about 00:26:56.019 --> 00:26:56.459 this 00:26:56.459 --> 00:26:57.319 you know 00:26:57.319 --> 00:26:57.579 whatever 00:26:57.579 --> 00:26:58.159 your phrase 00:26:58.159 --> 00:26:58.719 might be 00:26:58.719 --> 00:26:59.699 if it's 00:26:59.699 --> 00:27:00.259 he who 00:27:00.259 --> 00:27:01.739 has ears 00:27:01.739 --> 00:27:02.139 to hear 00:27:02.139 --> 00:27:02.500 let him 00:27:02.500 --> 00:27:02.859 hear 00:27:02.859 --> 00:27:04.079 Lord what 00:27:04.079 --> 00:27:04.439 does that 00:27:04.439 --> 00:27:04.799 mean 00:27:04.799 --> 00:27:06.079 what are 00:27:06.079 --> 00:27:06.679 you asking 00:27:06.679 --> 00:27:07.039 me 00:27:07.039 --> 00:27:09.819 and you'll 00:27:09.819 --> 00:27:10.419 be surprised 00:27:10.419 --> 00:27:11.000 I think 00:27:11.000 --> 00:27:12.699 you know 00:27:12.699 --> 00:27:13.419 how conversations 00:27:13.419 --> 00:27:13.979 you have 00:27:13.979 --> 00:27:14.379 might be 00:27:14.379 --> 00:27:14.899 along those 00:27:14.899 --> 00:27:15.579 same lines 00:27:15.579 --> 00:27:16.000 what the 00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:16.659 Lord says 00:27:16.659 --> 00:27:17.119 and if 00:27:17.119 --> 00:27:17.399 you've never 00:27:17.399 --> 00:27:17.819 done this 00:27:17.819 --> 00:27:18.139 before 00:27:18.139 --> 00:27:19.039 I understand 00:27:19.039 --> 00:27:19.359 it could 00:27:19.359 --> 00:27:19.979 feel a little 00:27:19.979 --> 00:27:20.419 bit 00:27:20.419 --> 00:27:21.839 kind of 00:27:21.839 --> 00:27:22.139 foreign 00:27:22.139 --> 00:27:22.619 or not 00:27:22.619 --> 00:27:22.919 something 00:27:22.919 --> 00:27:23.119 you're 00:27:23.119 --> 00:27:23.639 used to 00:27:23.639 --> 00:27:24.719 but I 00:27:24.719 --> 00:27:24.979 would just 00:27:24.979 --> 00:27:25.240 love for 00:27:25.240 --> 00:27:25.399 you to 00:27:25.399 --> 00:27:25.799 try it 00:27:25.799 --> 00:27:26.179 and then 00:27:26.179 --> 00:27:26.519 I would 00:27:26.519 --> 00:27:26.719 love to 00:27:26.719 --> 00:27:26.979 hear how 00:27:26.979 --> 00:27:27.419 it goes 00:27:27.419 --> 00:27:28.139 talk to 00:27:28.139 --> 00:27:28.240 me 00:27:28.240 --> 00:27:28.699 about it 00:27:28.699 --> 00:27:29.439 send me 00:27:29.439 --> 00:27:29.859 an email 00:27:29.859 --> 00:27:30.839 and we 00:27:30.839 --> 00:27:31.059 can have 00:27:31.059 --> 00:27:31.379 coffee 00:27:31.379 --> 00:27:31.699 or have 00:27:31.699 --> 00:27:32.119 lunch 00:27:32.119 --> 00:27:33.479 and 00:27:33.479 --> 00:27:35.839 and 00:27:35.839 --> 00:27:37.039 this is a 00:27:37.039 --> 00:27:37.479 way that 00:27:37.479 --> 00:27:38.119 the scriptures 00:27:38.119 --> 00:27:39.239 we learn to 00:27:39.239 --> 00:27:39.799 really receive 00:27:39.799 --> 00:27:40.299 the scriptures 00:27:40.299 --> 00:27:40.919 as food 00:27:40.919 --> 00:27:42.399 and so 00:27:42.399 --> 00:27:42.739 let's see 00:27:42.739 --> 00:27:43.019 what the 00:27:43.019 --> 00:27:43.179 Lord 00:27:43.179 --> 00:27:43.679 plants 00:27:43.679 --> 00:27:45.839 would you 00:27:45.839 --> 00:27:46.199 pray with 00:27:46.199 --> 00:27:46.899 me 00:27:46.899 --> 00:27:51.339 father 00:27:51.339 --> 00:27:51.739 thank you 00:27:51.739 --> 00:27:52.039 that you 00:27:52.039 --> 00:27:52.719 nourish us 00:27:52.719 --> 00:27:53.019 with your 00:27:53.019 --> 00:27:53.359 word 00:27:53.359 --> 00:27:56.419 I pray 00:27:56.419 --> 00:27:56.819 that as 00:27:56.819 --> 00:27:57.239 we sit 00:27:57.239 --> 00:27:57.539 with your 00:27:57.539 --> 00:27:57.899 scriptures 00:27:57.899 --> 00:27:58.659 this week 00:27:58.659 --> 00:27:59.479 that you 00:27:59.479 --> 00:27:59.679 would be 00:27:59.679 --> 00:28:00.199 our teacher 00:28:00.200 --> 00:28:00.660 that you 00:28:00.660 --> 00:28:01.100 would guide 00:28:01.100 --> 00:28:01.500 us 00:28:01.500 --> 00:28:02.319 that we 00:28:02.319 --> 00:28:02.680 would learn 00:28:02.680 --> 00:28:03.100 more 00:28:03.100 --> 00:28:04.160 about your 00:28:04.160 --> 00:28:04.519 kingdom 00:28:04.519 --> 00:28:06.440 and how 00:28:06.440 --> 00:28:06.960 you're calling 00:28:06.960 --> 00:28:07.380 us 00:28:07.380 --> 00:28:09.340 would you 00:28:09.340 --> 00:28:10.140 convict us 00:28:10.140 --> 00:28:10.960 where we need 00:28:10.960 --> 00:28:11.220 to be 00:28:11.220 --> 00:28:11.660 convicted 00:28:11.660 --> 00:28:13.059 would you 00:28:13.059 --> 00:28:13.779 comfort us 00:28:13.779 --> 00:28:14.120 where we 00:28:14.120 --> 00:28:14.460 need to be 00:28:14.460 --> 00:28:15.279 comforted 00:28:15.279 --> 00:28:16.960 and Lord 00:28:16.960 --> 00:28:17.340 in all 00:28:17.340 --> 00:28:17.920 things 00:28:17.920 --> 00:28:18.700 would you 00:28:18.700 --> 00:28:19.559 be glorified 00:28:19.559 --> 00:28:21.039 and we 00:28:21.039 --> 00:28:21.620 pray these 00:28:21.620 --> 00:28:22.100 things 00:28:22.100 --> 00:28:22.880 in the name 00:28:22.880 --> 00:28:23.080 of the 00:28:23.080 --> 00:28:23.400 father 00:28:23.400 --> 00:28:23.960 and the 00:28:23.960 --> 00:28:24.220 son 00:28:24.220 --> 00:28:24.539 and the 00:28:24.539 --> 00:28:24.740 holy 00:28:24.740 --> 00:28:25.180 spirit 00:28:25.180 --> 00:28:26.660 amen 00:28:26.820 --> 00:28:27.380 and 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:27.380 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:27.380 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:27.380 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:27.380 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:27.380 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:27.380 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:27.380 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:27.380 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:27.380 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:27.380 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:27.380 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:27.380 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:27.380 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:27.380 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:27.380 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:27.380 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:27.380 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:27.380 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:27.380 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:27.380 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:27.380 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:27.380 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:27.380 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:27.380 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:27.380 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:27.380 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:27.380 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:27.380 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:27.380 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:57.360 Thank you.