In the parable of the sower and the seed (Mathew 13:3-9) the seed sown by the sower also fell "among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them" (verse 7). Jesus explained this aspect of the parable in verse 22: "Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful." An analysis of Jesus' words is very interesting.

A grain of wheat that doesn't germinate cannot be "choked". So in the parable the seed had germinated. Not only that, it apparently had grown up! That decisive characteric of this group was that they became "unfruitful". So we can assume that quite a development had occurred: the seed germinated, grew into a plant, but no longer produced fruit.

Why was no fruit being produced? Because "the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choked the word". In the case of this group of people, what was present first – the thorns or the grains of wheat? It was the thorns, the cares of this world and material interests. But the seed germinated nevertheless, meaning that the person heard the "word of the kingdom [of God]" (verse 19) and heeded it initially, leading at first to positive development.

What was the problem with these people? Why did their development stop? Because they never completely freed themselves from the cares of this world and material interests. They never really made God the most important thing in their life.

They were like the house owner who wants to sell his house for the full price, but also wants to keep a room in the house for himself. God doesn't make deals like that! He only "purchases" those who are willing to put Him first in their life and not allow themselves to be distracted by worldy cares and materialism.

"Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Who doesn't have worldly cares at the time of his calling? Who isn't influenced by material goals when he hears the "word of the kingdom"? Don't we all? In other words, we all have the potential to be "among the thorns"!

That's why Jesus tells us: "He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it" (Matthew 10:39).

With these thoughts I wish everyone a rewarding Sabbath!