Luke 8:11-15
“Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God. Those
by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and takes away the
word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the
rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have
no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And
that which fell among the thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go
forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and
bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an
honest good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with
patience.”
For whatever reason, when I read this passage, I thought of
new believers, the ones who have just received God’s seed. God sows seed which
is His word to those who have not heard it yet. He gives it out to all people
but only the people who hear with an honest heart will keep it and bring forth
good fruit. However it seems to me that the people of the way side, rock, and
the ones surrounded by thorns are illustrations of the state of their heart.
The ones by the way side hear but then the devil comes in and takes it away
from their hearts before they completely believe it. The people of the way side
make me think of those who I know who hear the gospel and believe some of it
but not all, they have unsure hearts. They seem not grasp some concepts of
Christ and so the devil uses that to his advantage. The people on the rock make
me think of the people who are invited to a youth camp or retreat, who hear the
word, are “on fire” for Christ but because they don’t have a rooted
relationship, they fall at temptation. Their hearts are not wanting to grow
closer. Those among the thorns are those who may have a solid amount of faith,
but when they are faced with decisions what they want for themselves becomes
priority over their faith. Their hearts are not completely given to Christ. In
my life, I know that I have been in all of these states of heart, but I think
that He uses being choked by thorns, and temptation to bring us to the good
ground where we will bring forth good fruit. He makes all things work together
for my good and for His perfect plan.
This week I will write “Good ground” on my arm to remind
myself to continue to grow fruit on the good ground that I have found through
Christ.
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