“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” Luke 8.11-15
I love that Jesus explains the parable to his disciples. The fact that he does this suggests the importance of the lesson.
The parable, which most of us know well, is based upon four types of people groups and how they hear and receive the word of God. This pertains only to people who “hear” the word which is why proclamation of the Gospel is so crucial. Also, out of the seed that is sown through people hearing the word of God, only 25% produce a crop that is mature and eternal.
The first soil is seed sown among the path, which then is taken away by the devil from the hearts of people “so that they may not believe and be saved.” No where in this example does it say if or how the person received the word. In fact, this is not mentioned. The word is sown but before people can respond, the devil “takes away the word from their hearts.” So 25% of all seed sowing will be intercepted by the devil. He is perhaps our greatest adversary. Now the question of “how” the devil does this is another question and is alluded to in the second and third soil.
The second soil is sown to those people “on the rocky ground….who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.” Have we witnessed these people in our churches, youth groups and summer camps? People who “hear with joy” but have no root — i.e. discipleship. The Scripture says they believe but fall away during times of “testing”.
The third soil is “seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.” Like the second soil, these people hear the word and seem to initially receive it, however, the word is “choked out” by “worries….riches…and pleasures,” and there is no maturity.
However, the final and fourth soil represents “seed sown on good soil“ and “stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” This final soil, and the reception of the Word of God by people, is the only quarter to produce fruit. These people hear the word and retain it and thus, produce a ministry crop.
Each of us would like to consider ourselves in the 25% of those who receive the word and produce a crop for the Kingdom of God. But the truth is that some of us are distracted by the devil, the pleasures and riches of this word or life’s worries. Let’s re-examine our relationship with Christ and refocus our hearts, minds and souls on his calling and purpose for our lives so we might be all he has called and created us to be. By his grace and for his glory.
“O Lord God, help me focus on your mission of making disciples. Help me be your hands and feet, and to share your heart for the least, the last and the lost. Help me fulfill the Great Commission and to be filled with the power of your Holy Spirit. I love you Lord and praise your name. Come now, Lord Jesus, make your way into my heart, take control of my life, bend my flesh to your will and be my God and King. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen