Matthew 13: 7

Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out.

Jesus, continuing the Parable of the Sower, mentions about the seed that fell among thorns. Even though these seeds found good soil, the thorns that grew around them were overpowering and didn’t allow the plants to thrive. They must have sprouted well alongside the thorns. The thorny bushes that grew alongside these plants dominate and push against them, crushing them in the process.

A BBC video about Giant Water Lily pads highlights the domineering effects of a thorny plant. It starts off as a seed the size of a pea deep in the murky waters of the Amazon bayou. As the sprouted stem surfaces, which is already armed with spikes and thorns all around, clears the surface with its giant thorny wand. Once the space is cleared, the leaf then unfolds. As its leaf unfolds, it clears, skewers and chokes any other plant growing nearby. Not only does this leaf cover the surface of the water by pushing away other aquatic plants but it even prevents any sunlight from penetrating underneath the surface to the plants that grow in the water. Additionally, the stem and the underside of the leaf is covered with spines that protect it from fish or other herbivores nipping at it. This giant water lily pad grows up to 10 feet in diameter and can hold up to 140 pounds of weight. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SM-Ilh2lHZk]

Just like the water lily pad that dominates and chokes out life from plants growing nearby, the worries of the world, the lure of the riches, and the distractions of the devil prick us, skewer us and eventually choke us. Despite the Word being sown in us, it has not developed fully to dominate and influence life around us. Instead, the choke holds of the world around us have dominated and influenced our lives. Even before we’ve gained strength, we have been snubbed. Even before we’ve grown some leaves, we have been choked. Even before we’ve blossomed, we have been skewered.

Matthew 13: 22And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

As God’s Word is sown in our lives, it is imperative that we sprout, grow, blossom and bear fruit. What good it is if that seed doesn’t sprout? It is as good as dead. Life’s struggles are difficult. Life’s cares are cumbersome. Life’s temptations are distractions. However, if our roots are established strongly in the Word of God, then the cares of the world and deceits of the world will not impede us from growing. We will experience such growth and fruitfulness that the once domineering and choking factors of our past will fade away as we grow towards the bright light of the Risen Son. The power of the Holy Spirit will break away any choke hold or any chain that has entrapped us. We are meant to grow, blossom and bear fruit. With willing hearts, God is so able to multiply us and flourish us.

Beloved, give chance to the seed that has been sown. Give room for growth. Don’t let the choke holds of this life and this world, skewer and ensnare you. God, the Sower will enable you to have such an influence around you that even the thorns about you will be turned into beautiful blossoms. Such is the might of our Lord and the influence of His power.