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Jesus has just explained to his disciples his story about the
man who sowed his seed in different kinds of soil. Philip and
Thomas liked the story and now understand a little more about
"the secrets of the Kingdom". |
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THOMAS: | That makes it clear, Philip. I think I get it now. |
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PHILIP: | A little clearer anyway, Thomas. |
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THOMAS: | But one thing puzzles me still. |
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PHILIP: | What's that? |
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THOMAS: | The seed that fell along the path - it almost seems like
the sower's fault! Careless, from what I have heard! |
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PHILIP: | Same for the rocky ground too, I guess! |
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THOMAS: | The seed among the thorn bushes didn't have a chance!
So why sow it there? |
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PHILIP: | And what credit to the good soil? |
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THOMAS: | You see the problem then, Philip? |
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PHILIP: | I certainly do, Thomas! But I have an idea that each of
these stories is trying to get one point across. |
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THOMAS: | You mean it can't answer all the questions at once? |
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PHILIP: | Why should it? In this story, the seed - the word of the
Kingdom - is all good and all of it has the potential to produce
a hundred times. |
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THOMAS: | Hey! That's quite a point! All could produce a hundred
times! Ah - but it doesn't! |
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PHILIP: | Just look at the faces of people as they listen - even
there you see it all illustrated! |
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THOMAS: | That's right! It's "in one ear and out the other"
with some of them - that's for sure! |
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PHILIP: | And some people are forever trying new rabbis. No one
can ever depend on them - they are so superficial! |
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THOMAS: | And the worries about life and the love of riches...
very penetrating comments! |
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PHILIP: | But I somehow feel it needn't be that way. |
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THOMAS: | How do you mean? |
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PHILIP: | I think it's meant to be possible for everyone to bear
a hundred times. |
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THOMAS: | But Jesus has just said it doesn't happen that way, hasn't
he? |
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PHILIP: | True - that's how people seem to respond! But does God
really mean it to be that way? The individuals themselves are
responsible. |
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THOMAS: | And there's the enemy too - the evil one! |
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PHILIP: | Hmm... I sometimes get the feeling there's a struggle
going on. Jesus is sensitive to it. We hardly notice. |
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THOMAS: | Better listen! Here's another story. |
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Reader: | Matthew 13.24-30. |
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THOMAS: | That's a bit different from the story of the sower, Philip! |
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PHILIP: | The enemy figures a lot more this time! |
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THOMAS: | And there's severe judgment to follow! |
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PHILIP: | We had better ask Jesus what it all means. |
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Reader: | Matthew 13.36-43. |