In one of his most famous parables, Jesus compared the words of God to seeds sown by a farmer.

In Jesus’s time, farmers didn’t have gigantic farm equipment to plant their seeds. The farmers walked through their fields, scattering seeds by hand.

In his parable, Jesus compared the different kinds of ground where the word of God was scattered.

Jesus compared one kind of ground to rocky places where there is not much soil. The seeds sprouted quickly “because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.” (Matthew 13:5-6).

Jesus explained to his disciples: “The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.” (Matthew 13:20-21).

At this moment in his public ministry, thoughts about troubles and persecutions arose naturally to Jesus.

Around this time, John the Baptist was imprisoned and beheaded by Herod. (Matthew 14:1-13; Mark 6:14-32; Luke 3:19-20; 9:7-9).

Around this time, powerful religious leaders were publicly insulting Jesus and privately plotting to kill him. (Matthew 9:3,34; 12:1-2,14,24; Mark 3:6,22; Luke 5:21-25; 6:11).

Around this time, Jesus’s mother and brothers became so worried about his health, safety and sanity that they tried to get him to stop—or at least tone down—his public ministry. (Matthew 12:46-50; Mark 3:20-35; Luke 8:19-21).

Jesus refused to let such troubles and persecutions deflect him from his ministry.

And neither should we.

Instead, we should find courage in these words spoken by Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount as they take root deeply into our hearts, our lives, and our civilizations:

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10).

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” (Matthew 5:11).

We should find joy in these words spoken by Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount as they take root deeply into our hearts, our lives, and our civilizations:

“Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:12).

We should find wisdom in these words spoken by Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount as they take root deeply into our hearts, our lives, and our civilizations:

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” (Matthew 5:13).

We should find courage, joy and wisdom in these words spoken by Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount as they take root deeply into our hearts, our lives, and our civilizations:

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16).

In this Way of Jesus, do not fall away when the hot “sun” of troubles and persecutions threatens to wither and scorch your heart, your life, and your civilization.

Instead, persevere so that the words of Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount take root deeply into your heart, your life, and your civilization. (2 Peter 1:5-11).

Then you will light the world with your good deeds: “‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.” (Matthew 5:14,16; Zechariah 4:6).

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I quote the verses Matthew 5:14,16 and Zechariah 4:6 to state the theme of my book Lighting the World (which draws upon all of the books in the New Testament except for the Gospels):

You are the light of the world.

[L]et your light shine before [people],

that they may see your good deeds

and praise your Father in heaven.

“Not by might nor by power,

but by my Spirit,” says the

LORD Almighty.

To learn more about the Parable of the Sower that is the basis for this blog, please read my blogs “Good Soil” and “Hardened Soil Along a Footpath”, and the chapters “Despite His Family’s Wishes, Jesus Continues His Work”, “Jesus Tells the Parable of the Sower”, and “Jesus Feeds Five Thousand People” in my book Hoping in the LORD (which draws upon all of the Gospels), at pages 123-148.