Wednesday, March 26, 2025

New Testament Reading Plan: Matthew 13

Years ago, I experienced a difficult conversation with someone who disowned her faith. She told me a story about dealing with mental health, an identity crisis, and family struggles. Her heart had become calloused and hard, allowing the enemy to steal her faith. She had not been fully rooted in Christ. 

In the Parable of the Farmer Scattering Seed, we learn that seeing and listening to God's word prevents a calloused heart. Jesus shared the story to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah about those who have hardened hearts. 

Matthew 13:15-16 
“‘For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes—so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.’ 

But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.”

Jesus understood that not everyone would receive the Good News that he taught. However, through the parable, he promised that for those who hear and listen, the seeds of God’s Word will fall on good soil and produce a harvest. 

What is beautiful about the parable is that Jesus doesn’t demand that we grow our faith on our own. He is the farmer, scattering the seeds to bring us into spiritual maturity. This roots your faith so that when life happens and you aren’t strong enough on your own, you will stay planted in God. 

Your faith will remain because spiritual maturity helps us to be more aware of the impact of our faith. The truth is that a calloused heart stunts your growth, as I witnessed during my difficult conversation with someone who had wilted under the hot sun of her challenges. Unfortunately, some are willing to hear God's word, and others aren’t. Some will turn toward the world instead of God for answers. 

It is important to regularly hear and listen to God's word to stay rooted in Christ. When struggles do come, your faith will stay planted, remain secure, and mature more in Christ. 

Questions: 
What steps have you been taking to grow in spiritual maturity? 

What does listening and hearing God's Word prevent? 

How are you living out God's Word today? 

Next Steps: 
Reflect on or share any stories that relate to a calloused heart in the Parable of the Farmer Scattering Seeds. 

Consider other areas to grow in spiritual maturity.

• Spending more time in God’s Word
• Choosing to trust God with your finances 
• Leaving a burden at the cross response station 
• Joining the Dream Team to serve others
• Asking for prayer for the struggles you are facing 

Consider reading the following verses to see more of what it means to be spiritually mature: 1 Peter 2: 1-2, James 1: 2-4, Philippians 2: 12 

Prayer: 
God, I pray for spiritual maturity. If anything prevents me from hearing and listening to your Word, soften my heart. Life throws things at me and can feel chaotic at times, but I am rooted in you, Jesus. I have faith in you. Amen. 

Series Theme Verse:

Hebrews 4:15
This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.

This post was written by Becca Roberts, a West attendee, and a regular contributor to the LivingItOut Devotional.