“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, richesand 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 have been in student ministry long enough to know youth who have found themselves in each category. I won’t name names but there have been many who have been faithful, excited, seeking the Lord — and then, given time, they turn away, reject Christ, find other gods to serve.
It breaks my heart to think of these students. I like to brag on the ones who are excelling, called to ministry, full devoted to Christ. I like to talk about those who are pastoring churches, on the mission field, or serving in campus ministries. The good see/fruit is always more fun to discuss than those who have failed.
Jesus is clear about that the seed is the word of God and it will fall on different types of soil. The truth is, 75% of that soil ultimately turns out to be poor. Only 25%, one in four, of those who hear the word will stick with it for life. Those who hear the word but the seed falls on shallow, rocky, thorny soil fail to mature in Christ. And these are only those who hear the word – what about those who have never heard? How will they believe unless they are told? (Romans 10.4).
The job of those who are mature in Christ is to help disciple those seeds which fall on bad soil and help them grow into maturity in the Lord. We are called to walk alongside those who make decisions for Christ, hear the word of the Lord, and help them grow up in God.
The good news is that the seed is always going forth, always being preached and proclaimed, always finding its way into the hearts of humans. Let’s pray that as the word is preached the church will capture the art of discipleship — which is the second half of the gospel. Preaching is essential but unless we have banding and connecting, many seeds will come to nothing.
“O Lord God, thank you for sending your son to save us. Help us encourage those who walk with you to do so for life. Help us work together to be strong in the Lord and in your mighty power. Give us the strength to remain faithful. Come now, Holy Spirit, renew your church. I love you Lord and praise your name. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen