The Daily Office for October 12, 2012
Scripture Readings
Old Testament
Psalm
New Testament
Gospel
Reflection
Jesus was famous for His parables. Parables are stories that are true to life and nature in every way, thus differing from allegories and fables. They are used to teach spiritual truths. He used parables often, the New Testament recording about thirty separate stories. Jesus used parables for at least five reasons. (1) To attract attention. They have tremendous interest value, and everyone likes a story. (2) To prevent hearers from being repelled too quickly by normal direct statements. (3) To stimulate inquiry and to teach. These stories could easily be remembered, and were thus good vehicles for preserving the truth. (4) To reveal the truth, as some could understand a story taught in parabolic form more easily than regular teaching. (5) To conceal the truth. Often a story would protect the truth from the mockery of a scoffer who could not understand the meaning.
One’s spiritual condition frequently determined how much he would understand of what Jesus said. The parable of the four soils is found in every Gospel except John’s. The four types of soils could easily be located within the same field. They represent the hearts or minds of people. (1) The pathway soil is hardened and uncultivated, and the seed which represents God’s Word cannot penetrate it. Note the influence of Satan in keeping this type of person from believing. (2) The rocky ground has a thin layer of dirt over solid rock. This one is completely superficial and emotional, but has no root. (3) The thorny ground is a double-minded person. He or she makes a profession, but it is unreal. (4) Only the good ground bears any fruit and represents a truly saved individual. Jesus taught His disciples that they would sow much seed, but should not be distressed by seemingly poor results and some cases of apparent salvation which were in reality nothing but an outward emotional experience.
Collect for the Day
Almighty God, who called our forebears to the light of the gospel by the preaching of your servant Wilfrid: help us, who keep his life and labour in remembrance, to glorify your name by following the example of his zeal and perseverance; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.