WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7
Luke 8:4-18
Philippians 2:12-16

“…work out your own salvation
with fear and trembling.”

OF SEEDS AND THE LIGHT

Jesus put forth another parable. Although this parable is well known as the parable of the sower, the intention is not so much on the act of sowing but on what happened to the seeds as they landed on four different types of soil. And Jesus said, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear” (Luke 8:8). This parable teaches that the scattering of the Word of God far and wide may not bear fruit all the time, especially when the soil is not fertile or well cultivated. Jesus declared that He was there in the capacity of a husbandman, who was going out to sow seed, but that many of His hearers resembled the hard and stony soil, while others resembled the thorny soil.

Jesus continued to describe that men light a candle not to hide it. Instead they place it where it may be of use. So it is with salvation. After we are saved, others must see the grace of God in our lives. Our salvation is not to be concealed, but must be revealed as light that the surrounding dark and wicked world will see. We must let God shine His light through us. Otherwise, we might as well not have the light at all. We must work out our own salvation with fear and trembling (Phil 2:12). We are accountable to God if we do not share this light.

May we pray for the Holy Spirit’s illumination to understand these parables. As God’s children, we thank God for the mind of Christ and spiritual eyes to comprehend God’s Word. Matthew Henry has an interesting illustration: A parable is like the pillar of cloud and fire. It turned a dark side towards the Egyptians, thus confounding them; but a light side towards the Israelites, thus comforting them. The same light directs the eyes of some, but dazzles the eyes of others. Jesus’ interpretation is our model for understanding biblical parables. Interpret scripture with scripture. The Lord will cause us to see the truth of His Word.

THOUGHT: Do I desire to know the meaning of the Word of God?
PRAYER: Father, teach me to live out the power of the Gospel in my life. Help me to understand Thy perfect words.