Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 279: Great Value

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read Matthew 13-14.

In today's reading, Jesus taught in parables, and I want to share a few of them today.

The first parable is that of the sower. He sows seed, and some seed falls beside the road, only to be eaten by birds, others fell on the rocks and did not have a good foundation to grow, others fell among the thorns, where they were choked, and still others fell upon good soil, and took root.

This parable is about God's Word. Sometimes the Word gets snatched away by the Enemy; sometimes it takes root, but does not have good soil to grow in; sometimes it gets choked by doubts and fears. Yet, sometimes the Word also grows in good soil, where it takes root and flourishes and produces fruit.

Someone once said something I will never forget: It's not our job to save people. That belongs to Jesus.

What we are supposed to do is to tell people about Jesus, and teach or preach His word (if those words seem too strong to you, just consider it a conversation).

We are supposed to plant the seed. God moves in people's hearts, and will continue to move whenever we speak His true word. All we have to do is sow the seed, and God will tend the soil.

Sometimes, the seed does not take root, and that isn't something we can control in other people's lives. We can only make sure that the seed in our own lives produces fruit.

But Jesus is the only one who saves.

The other parable I want to talk about is the parable of the pearl.

Matthew 13:45-46 - "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

You are that pearl. Jesus saw so much value in you that He gave all that He had - His very life - just to redeem you for His own.

I know sometimes it's easier to believe the lies, easier to believe that Jesus would never want anything to do with you, easier to give in to the doubts. But remember, these are lies. Jesus loved you so much that He died so that you could have eternal life - with Him, in heaven, forever.

You have been redeemed at a great price - the life of Jesus Christ, our Savior - because you are of great value.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Matthew 15-17.