Seeds and Weeds

As we enter this Lenten season, we are reminded of the powerful invitation Jesus offers us: to release what holds us back so that we might flourish in the freedom and fullness of life He gives. This resonates deeply with the biblical concept of Jubilee—a Year of Release. In the Jubilee year, debts were forgiven, land restored, and captives set free—a radical resetting of life that allowed God’s people to experience new beginnings and true flourishing. 

But such release comes at a cost. 

Jesus' parable in Matthew 13 teaches us that while the seed of the Gospel holds incredible potential to bear fruit in our lives, weeds grow alongside it that threaten its productivity. Weeds of fear, control, past wounds, and doubt choke the new growth God intends for us. Removing these weeds requires intentionality and effort—a labor of love that clears the way for God’s transformative work. 

Lent invites us to walk purposefully toward the cross, laying down our burdens and making space to embrace the freedom Christ offers. This time of reflection and repentance challenges us to see the struggles and sacrifices of tending our spiritual lives as preparation for growth. The burdens of sin, unforgiveness, and self-doubt make way for God’s grace to bring restoration, renewal, and new life. 

As we meditate on Jesus’ proclamation in Luke 4:18-19—freedom for the oppressed and the year of the Lord’s favor—we are reminded that release is not a distant promise but a present reality. It is here, it is now, and it is ours to embrace. 

Join us as we embark on a 6-part preaching series that unpacks the parable of the sower and illustrates its eternal truths through 4 individuals who encounter Jesus in the Gospels. Their stories powerfully illustrate the “seeds and weeds” present in all our lives.  

Together, let us cultivate hearts where the seeds of the Gospel can yield the abundant harvest of life God has promised.