Thursday, December 9: Luke 8- An everyday story explained

Traveling through an agrarian society, Jesus told a farming story about scattering seeds. Jesus’ story described an occurrence every farmer immediately related to and understood. Scattering seed is part of a farmer’s life.

Later Jesus explained to His disciples the spiritual lessons of the story.  Jesus’ words speak volumes. This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 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. Those on the rock 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. 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. 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 (11-15).

As farmers of the word of God, not everyone we speak to will accept Jesus’ teachings and enter the kingdom. The devil snatches the word from some so that they may not believe and be saved. Still others seem to get it but the next thing we know they have disappeared and returned to their former ways and lifestyle of unbelief. Others, like the disciples in the boat, see the waves and storms of life but instead of calling to Jesus like the disciples, these people slip back into old ways and forego Jesus and the way of Jesus. But those who do believe produce a bumper crop of faith.

Some thoughts float through my heart…

(1) Sow seeds, that’s my job. God determines the increase. Not everyone will believe my testimony to Jesus but I am responsible to sow. I cannot tell what kind of soil they represent.

(2) We have an enemy don’t forget that. But we also have a defense…the armor of God… read Ephesians 6.

(3) Old patterns die hard… persevere with Jesus, pay attention to your faith and work at it.

(4) Call out to Jesus when you are in trouble. I love the song Angelo has introduced to our worship, ‘Whisper His Name. Whisper, Call, Shout His name and Jesus will come to you’. (listen at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmfciUd_Vfw&feature=related). We don’t have to live life alone. We have a Savior who not only forgives our sins but Who is also there to rescue us when we hit problem patches, like the disciples in the boat turn to Jesus, when you are in trouble.

Well, now I have to chew on all this…

Lord, I have feasted at Your word.  Please help me to take time with it, to apply it and to take it deeply into my life… In Jesus’ name. Amen.