In The Word
Read: Luke 8:4-21
Parable of the Sower
4 Now when a large crowd was coming together, and those from the various cities were journeying to Him, He spoke by way of a parable:5 “The sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell beside the road, and it was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the sky ate it up. 6 Other seed fell on rocky soil, and when it came up, it withered away because it had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among the thorns; and the thorns grew up with it and choked it out. 8 And yet other seed fell into the good soil, and grew up, and produced a crop a hundred times as much.” As He said these things, He would call out, “The one who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
9 Now His disciples began asking Him what this parable meant. 10 And He said, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest they are told in parables, so that while seeing they may not see, and while hearing they may not understand.
11 “Now this is the parable: the seed is the word of God. 12 And those beside the road are the ones who have heard, then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rocky soil are the ones who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and yet these do not have a firm root; they believe for a while, and in a time of temptation they fall away. 14 And the seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked by worries, riches, and pleasures of this life, and they bring no fruit to maturity. 15 But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word with a good and virtuous heart, and hold it firmly, and produce fruit with perseverance.
Parable of the Lamp
16 “Now no one lights a lamp and covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand so that those who come in may see the light. 17 For nothing is concealed that will not become evident, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.18 So take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.”
19 Now His mother and brothers came to Him, and they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd. 20 And it was reported to Him, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, wishing to see You.”21 But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.”
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Many today do not farm or understand agriculture. Yet most people do know that a seed must be planted before something can grow. It is from that seed that all kinds of life spring up, but the soil-condition is key. Before that seed can grow, it requires good ground. Jesus uses this illustration to describe the seed as the Word of God and the soil as the condition of our heart. The seed is always ready to grow and produce fruit. The factor that determines this growth is the soil. If we as disciples allow the Holy Spirit to prepare our heart to receive the Word of God, we too will be like the good ground that Jesus is describing. We will grow in our knowledge and application of His Word producing righteous fruit.
But if we are resistant, we will not be able to grow. Some who are resistant will not survive the testing, and others will allow the worries of this life to choke them out. Those who are ready and are prepared to receive will bear divine fruit. They will become a bright light in a dark world. Many will see the light of Jesus Christ shining in them and be drawn to His salvation.
I challenge you today to open your heart to God. Let Him break up the hard ground in your life. “Sow with a view to righteousness, reap in accordance with kindness; Break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord until He comes to rain righteousness on you” (Hosea 10:12). Is your heart good ground? Are you ready to receive the Word of God into your spirit? Are you letting your light shine into the darkness?