Thorns

I have a Bible.

That statement might not seem too crazy or profound, but in some places I would be put to death for saying that.  That's not really what my post is about, but it seemed a good way to open. 

No, my post today is about what I read in that Bible that I have.  I actually have 3.  I have my little one that I take everywhere with me, it fits in all of my purses. I have my study Bible that I use to look things up, and I also have my 1 year daily reading Bible.  It's in chronological order of when the books of the Bible were written.

Today I read about the parable Jesus told about seed being scattered.  In case you aren't familiar with it I'll share it with you.  This is Mark 4:3-9

"Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seed. As he scattered it across his field, some of the seed fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate it. Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seed sprouted quiclky because the soil was shallow.  But the plant soon wilted under the hot sun, and since it didn't have deep roots, it died. Other seed fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants so they produced no grain.  Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they sprouted, grew, and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!" Then he said, "Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand."

Jesus taught by telling stories.  The crowd he told this parable to was likely full of farmers and they would have understood what he meant.  Jesus' disciples on the other hand didn't quite understand.  So he explained it to them. 

Now, I've read this scripture before, but today, the explanation has jumped out at me.  I had to share it.  This is how Jesus explained it to his disciples. Mark 4:14-20

"The farmer plants seed by taking God's word to others.  The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message, only to have Satan come at once and take it away. The seed on the rocky soul rempresents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don't have deep roots, they don't last long.  They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God's word.  The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God's word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced. (emphasis added is mine)  And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God's wrod and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted."

I know, that's a lot of scripture at once.  But how can I do the parable justice by only telling the part that I want to talk about?  So I just emphasized the part that struck me, (maybe another part will strike you). 

We all have thorns.  We all have those things in this life that crowd out the message that God gives us. When I go on and on about how I don't want stuff.  How I want to try and not care if I have the newest gadgets or if my car is new and shiny.  Those are the thorns that I'm talking about.  I see the things of this world as my thorns. 

I read in my Bible yesterday about Jesus and John the Baptist living totally different lives.  Luke 7:33-35 says- "For John the Baptist didn't spend his time eating bread or drinking wine, and you say, 'He's possessed by a demon.' The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, 'He's a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!' But wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it."

That last sentence tripped me up.  I had no clue what it meant, I actually had to call my mother in law and ask what it meant.  But it's basically saying that Jesus and John lived completely different lives, but they both lived the life they were supposed to live. 

I guess where I'm trying to go with this, is everyone has thorns.  We're all called to get rid of our thorns, but not everyone has the same thorns.  But, when you do figure out what your thorns are, it's time to do some pruning.  Everyday I find new thorns and I find that my old thorns are starting to grow back.  So, I have to grab my pruning shears and start cutting again.  Yes it hurts at times, but if I don't do it, I get lost in the thorns and that is even more painful.