Pentecost Week Ten - The Challenge of Hearing and Responding

Day Six -  The Challenge of Hearing and Responding

Seems like a long week with lots of stuff talked about. Not going to recap what you've read but maybe tell the whole chapter differently.

Life in Jesus’ Time: Insights from the Week
Imagine sitting in the crowd as Jesus travels from village to village, speaking to anyone who will listen. The dusty roads are crowded with men and women, young and old, rich and poor. Among them are people you might not expect—women like Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna.

In a world where women’s voices were rarely heard, here they are, walking alongside Jesus, playing an active role in His ministry. It’s a glimpse of how Jesus was already turning the world upside down, inviting those on the margins to take their place in His Kingdom.

On this day, as on so many others, Jesus begins to tell a parable. The story seems simple enough, drawn from the lives of the people around Him—something about farming, or a household, or the marketplace. But as He finishes, confusion ripples through the crowd. His words don’t feel straightforward.

Some people lean in, hungry to understand, whispering to one another as they try to make sense of what He’s said. Others shrug or shake their heads, frustrated by what they perceive as riddles.

And then there are the religious leaders, standing off to the side, arms crossed. They aren’t interested in wrestling with the meaning. They aren’t here to learn. Instead, they’re waiting for Him to say something they can use against Him.

This is how it always goes. Jesus speaks, and people respond in different ways. Isn't it exactly the same way today?

Where Are You in the Story?
I often say that every story in the Bible is an invitation. It’s not just about the people who were there at the time—it’s about us, too. We can find ourselves in every story Jesus tells. The question is: where are you in what ever story you are reading?

Are you in the crowd, hearing God’s Word but unsure what to do with it? Maybe life feels so busy, or the message feels so unclear, that you don’t know how to respond.

Do you see yourself in the religious leaders, quick to dismiss or resist what God is saying because it challenges your comfort, your plans, or your pride?

Or, perhaps, you see yourself in those who lean in, hungry to understand, eager to let God’s Word shape their lives.

When we see ourselves in these stories, it can be tempting to beat ourselves up. We realize how often we get distracted or how easily we let pride or fear block us from hearing God.

But Jesus doesn’t tell these stories to shame us. He tells them to open our eyes, to show us how God’s Kingdom works, and to draw us closer to Him.

The goal isn’t perfection—it’s transformation. The real question is this: once you see yourself in the story, what will you do next? Will you let God’s truth take root in your life, shaping the way you live, think, and love? Will you take the moral of the story and live it out in God’s new Kingdom?

Jesus is still speaking, and His Kingdom is still breaking into the world. The invitation is always open. Where are you in the story, and how will you respond?

Reflection: What is God Saying to You Right Now?
The parable of the sower reminds us that God’s Word is generously available to all (Sowing the Word), but how we respond depends on the condition of our hearts (Receiving the Word).

Is your heart open to receiving His Word, or are distractions, worries, or pride keeping it from taking root? What step can you take this week to live out His Word—whether it’s through prayer, showing kindness, or serving someone in need (Living the Word)?

No matter where you are in the story, God never stops sowing His Word, patiently working to help you grow.

The Saturday Prayer

Lord, thank You for speaking to us, even when we’re not always ready to hear You.
Forgive us for the times we’ve been distracted, indifferent, or unwilling to listen.
Soften our hearts, Lord, and make us good soil for Your Word.
Help us to lean in when You speak, to trust You even when we don’t fully understand, and to let Your truth transform us from the inside out.
Thank You for Your patience and Your love.
We are listening. Amen.