Category: Faith Links

“… ‘A sower went out to sow.
And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path,
and birds came and ate it up.
Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil.
It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep,
and when the sun rose it was scorched,
and it withered for lack of roots.
Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it.
But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit,
a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.
Whoever has ears ought to hear. …
* * *
The seed sown on the path is the one
who hears the word of the kingdom without understanding it,
and the evil one comes and steals away
what was sown in his heart.
The seed sown on rocky ground
is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy.
But he has no root and lasts only for a time.
When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word,
he immediately falls away.
The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word,
but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word
and it bears no fruit.
But the seed sown on rich soil
is the one who hears the word and understands it,
who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.'”

“… ‘Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves;
so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves.
* * *
… You will be hated by all because of My Name,
but whoever endures to the end will be Saved.
When they persecute you in one town, flee to another.
Amen, I say to you, you will not finish the towns of Israel
before the Son of Man comes.'”

“While Jesus was speaking, an official came forward,
knelt down before Him, and said,
‘My daughter has just died.
But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.’
Jesus rose and followed him, and so did His Disciples. …
* * * … He came and took her by the hand,
and the little girl arose.
And news of this spread throughout all that land.”