Jesus told many parables. Why? The answer is in today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 13. Read it! In the first reading from Jeremiah 2, the LORD seems almost melancholy talking about remembering the days when his people loved him and followed his commands.
“I remember the devotion of your youth, how you loved me as a bride.” But how things changed. “When I brought you into the garden land to eat its goodly fruits, you entered and defiled my land, you made my heritage loathsome. Two evils have my people done: they have forsaken me, the source of living waters; they have dug for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that hold no water.”
In other words, the people had fallen away. Once they had loved and served God, but no more. Other things took precedent in their lives, and God had become an afterthought, if even that. Sound familiar? I’ll bet it does. Maybe at one time that was you. I’ll bet today you know and love many who would fit that description. If that’s the case, never give up hope that they will return to the Lord. After all, God doesn’t.
Father, we pray for those who are fallen away, for whatever reason. May we be a witness and example of your love and grace, and always invite them back. Amen.
Amen
Jesus got it right because he’s God. Thanks