Luke – Doors Wide Open
Luke 8, New Living Translation
Parable of the Farmer Scattering Seed
4 One day Jesus told a story in the form of a parable to a large crowd that had gathered from many towns to hear him: 5 “A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it. 6 Other seed fell among rocks. It began to grow, but the plant soon wilted and died for lack of moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns that grew up with it and choked out the tender plants. 8 Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been planted!” When he had said this, he called out, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables to teach the others so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled:
‘When they look, they won’t really see.
When they hear, they won’t understand.’
11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is God’s word. 12 The seeds that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, only to have the devil come and take it away from their hearts and prevent them from believing and being saved. 13 The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation. 14 The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity. 15 And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.
HOLY PAUSE
In what “soil” do we reside?
Is God’s Word growing in us?
Is the seed of His Word taking root and going deep into our hearts, minds and souls?
Which category are we?
–Those who hear the message but lose focus on God quickly allowing the devil lead us away from the Truth to lies and deception of all that isn’t God’s Truth? (Footpath)
–Those who hear but refuse to understand but we care only for making a living, raising a family and seeking to please ourselves? Never growing and maturing…(Thorns)
–Those that receive Christ but don’t live for Christ by getting to know Him? (Rocky Soil)
–Those who hear, understand, with joy and excitement to see what God will do next on their journey. They know God’s Word because the long to know God through His Word. They cling to Him through His Word. Through good times and bad times, rain or shine, a harvest of fruit begin to grow. The fruit of patience, love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, honesty, faithfulness, the list of the characteristics of Christ, becomes abundant on the branches of our lives lived for Him.
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.” Galatians 5:22-26, NLT
Dear Heavenly Father,
This is the story of You in us. Continue to work in us, through us, for your glory and honor.
In Jesus Name, Amen
Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus) 