A Parable Comes to Life

One of the first parables Jesus told his disciples was that of the Sower, where seeds are sown on different kinds of soil with varying results. As we come to Acts 8 this week we hear this parable 'coming to life'. Persecution scatters the church far and wide, but those who leave Jerusalem continue to preach the word wherever they go. In Samaria there is much 'good soil' and the people there receive the word of God. However, just as the parable teaches, there is some rocky ground and thorns to contend with as well – in Simon the magician. One thing we can be sure of is that the Word of God always succeeds in the purpose for which God sends it.