The seeds of the Gospel

       In 1965 archaeologists found date palm seeds in an ancient jar in Herod the Great’s palace on Masada, Israel. The seeds dated to the first century B.C. and were preserved due to their dry, sheltered environment. The seeds were stored at Bar-llan University until 2005. The seeds were them placed in a fertilizer and hormone rich solution and allowed to germinate. They were then planted at Kiddutz Ketura in southern Israel. One of the seeds grew into a healthy male Judean date palm, a tree extinct for over 1800 years. They named the tree Methuselah after the oldest person in the Bible. As I read about this I was reminded how the Lord used the image of a seed to describe the Gospel.

These Judean date palm seeds are precious because there are no other ones in the world. They have the potential to produce a fruit that no other plant possibly can. In the same way the Gospel of Jesus Christ is unique, it has the power to do what no other truth can do, save souls. The fruit of the Gospel has the potential to change the world in a way that is profound.  Like a seed, the Gospel must be placed in right soil for it grow, it takes time to germinate, it needs the right conditions to germinate, it must be planted, and it produces a harvest. The Gospel is not like a seed because it will never perish (1 Peter 1:23).
For these Judean date palm seeds to grow someone had to prepare the soil, plant the seed, and then water and feed the tree as it grew. In the same way God has chosen in His infinite wisdom for us humans to be the ones who tell the good news of Jesus. He could have used angels or simply made it evident to all, but He chose to use us. Therefore we are called to plant the seeds of truth in the hearts of men and women. This is not a burden, but an incredible privilege. Jesus commanded we go to all the world and spread the good news (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16).
One of the truths of the Bible that is hard for us to accept is that those without Christ are lost. If we understand this truth it compels us to spread the good news of the grace of Christ.  There are billions of people in this world that survive without the hope of Christ and will die without the hope of heaven. This fact should break our hearts and bring us to tears. As Jesus wept over Jerusalem and her unbelief we should weep over the cities of this world that are trying to live in unbelief. We who know the peace that passes all understanding, the love that has been shown to us, and guidance of the Word and Spirit should weep for those that do not.
Each of us is called to spread the Gospel. Some will plant seeds, some will prepare soil, some will water and feed the young growth, and the Lord will read the harvest. What is your role? How are you helping to bring the Gospel to the world?

Bible readings for Feb 1-15

Here are the Bible readings for Feb 1-15 for both those that are reading through the Bible chronologically and for those are that reading key stories (smaller amount of reading).

Feb 1  Ex 7‐9 

Feb 2  Ex 10‐12

Feb 3  Ex 13‐15 

Feb 4  Ex 16‐18 

Feb 5  Ex 19‐21 

Feb 6  Ex 22‐24 

Feb 7  Ex 25‐27 

Feb 8  Ex 28‐29 

Feb 9  Ex 30‐32 

Feb 10  Ex 33‐35 

Feb 11  Ex 36‐38 

Feb 12  Ex 39‐40 

Feb 13  Lev 1‐4 

Feb 14  Lev 5‐7 

Feb 15  Lev 8‐10 

If you are following the shorter plan:

February 1 Exodus 20 (10 Commandments)

February 2 Leviticus 11 (Nadab and Abihu)

February 3 Leviticus 26 (Blessings of Obedience and Consequences of Disobedience)

February 4 Numbers 11 (The people complain)

February 5 Numbers 12 (Aaron and Miriam complain)

February 6 Numbers 13-14 (Spies sent and report)

February 7 Numbers 16-17 (Korah’s rebellion)

February 8 Numbers 20 (Water from the rock)

February 9 Numbers 21 (Bronze serpent)

February 10 Numbers 22-23 (Balaam and Balak)

February 11 Numbers 24-25 (Balaam and Balak)

February 12 Deuteronomy 6 (Teaching our children)

February 13 Deuteronomy 31 (Joshua chosen to lead)

February 14 Deuteronomy 34 (Death of Moses)

February 15 Joshua 1 (God’s charge to Joshua)