DAY #102: EASTER - Luke 8:4-21

HE HAS RISEN.

In this parable, Jesus used a familiar picture to illustrate an important truth about the Kingdom of Heaven. In ancient times, when a farmer went out to plant some seed, he walked across the field and scattered handfuls of seed from a large bag slung across his shoulders. The farmer scattered the seed liberally—and some seed fell on a footpath. The hard and compacted soil of the path meant that the seed did not sink into the ground and so it sat on top where it was stepped on and where the birds came and ate it. Jesus explains that the devil comes and takes away the gospel message from hard hearts so that those people cannot hear or be saved.
Jesus was speaking to the crowds about the Kingdom, explaining through this parable that the religious leaders’ rejection of the Messiah did not change the truth. Jesus and the gospel were truth; there was no problem with them as there was no problem with the farmer or his seed. The only variable was the land (or the hearts) where the seed (the message) fell.

Other handfuls of seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The footpath had no soil at all. But on the shallow soil, the seed began to grow. This type of soil was probably found in every farmer’s field—most of the land in Palestine is very rocky, filled with stones of all sizes. Soil on top of rocks traps the moisture so that plants can grow quickly, but the roots cannot go deep. The hot sun then dries up the water, causing the young plant to wither and die for lack of moisture. Jesus explains that those with hearts like this may hear the word and at first receive it with joy. But, like the crowds who followed, when the going gets tough, they fall away.

Thorns rob sprouts of nutrition, water, light, and space. Thus, when the thorns grew (weeds grow faster than wheat), the good seed was choked out and could not grow to maturity. Jesus explains that those with “thorny” hearts may receive the message, but then find it choked out by life’s worries and attractions.

Some seed may be lost, but other seed fell on fertile soil. This soil had been plowed by the farmer and the seed had ample sunlight, depth, and moisture to be able to grow. The seed produced a crop one hundred times as much as had been planted. Normal yield for good seed would be seven- to ten-fold. Any farmer would be overjoyed at such a tremendous yield, for it would mean even more seed to plant and harvest during the next year. Jesus explains that “fertile soil” people are those disciples who hear the word, hold on to it, and share it with others.
Jesus understood that not everyone who heard him speak would listen and understand, referring to a different kind of hearing, a deep listening with the mind and heart that opens a person to spiritual understanding. Jesus’ words, like the farmer’s seed, fell on various types of hearts.

The meaning of the parable of the four soils reinforces Jesus’ differentiation between those who are given the secrets of the Kingdom and those who are not. The secrets of God’s Kingdom are for those whom God has prepared.

Jesus’ closest followers may not have immediately understood the meaning of his parable, but that did not mean they were hard-hearted. Jesus explained that the seed that the farmer sowed represents God’s message to the people—the Good News of the Kingdom. The seed that fell on the hard path represents those, like the religious leaders, who hear, but the message cannot penetrate their hearts. The element of spiritual warfare is revealed here because the Devil himself comes and steals the message and prevents them from believing and being saved. “Footpath” people, like many of the religious leaders, refused to believe God’s message. Satan locked their minds and hearts and threw away the key. Though not beyond God’s reach, their hardness will make it very difficult for them to ever believe.

Those who are like rocky soil are those who hear the message with joy. These people believe for a while, but Jesus explains that their roots don’t go very deep, so when difficulty comes, they fall away.The same seed also fell in the thorny ground. These people hear and accept the message. But as they go on their way, the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. These distractions and conflicts rob new believers of growth—they do not spend time in God’s word or with God’s people. So even though the seed has grown, it can never grow into maturity. Daily routines overcrowd and materialistic pursuits distract them, choking out God’s word so that it yields nothing.

Of course, some of the seed falls on good soil or the farmer would not plant in that area at all. Good soil can be found—hearts open to the gospel message wherever the seed of God’s word is sown. Those with hearts like “good soil” are those who hear God’s message, cling to it, and steadily produce a huge harvest. These people have truly believed and are willing to let Jesus make a difference in their lives. Because of this, they also “produce a harvest” because they are willing to share what Jesus has done for them.

Sometimes people’s lives can represent several different types of soil at once. A person may react like good soil to God’s teaching regarding one part of life, but be “thorny” in another area. Believers are called to be like “good soil” all the time in all areas of life. Then God can continue to teach them, they can continue to mature, and they can share the message with others.These listeners would have understood Jesus’ reference to a lamp as being a lighted wick in a clay bowl that was full of oil. It would be ludicrous to light a lamp and then cover it up or put it under a bed. A lit lamp is meant to light up the room.

Because the teachings in the parables were so important for his followers to understand, Jesus warned them to pay attention. They needed to listen with understanding and then apply what Jesus said to their daily lives. To the people who listen and understand, more understanding will be given because their openness and perception of the Kingdom message will bring great rewards. They will continue to grow because they let God’s word make a difference in their lives. Ultimately, of course, they will receive eternal blessings.

Those who are not listening will lose whatever they had—it will be taken away. Jesus’ words here may have been directed to the Jews who had no understanding of Jesus and would lose even what they had—that is, their privileged status as God’s people. Or Jesus might have meant that when people reject him, their hardness of heart drives away or renders useless even the little understanding they had.

Obedience is the key to being part of God’s family. Knowledge is not enough—the religious leaders had that and still missed Jesus. Following is not enough—the crowd did that but still didn’t understand who Jesus was. Those who believe are brought into a family. In these words, Jesus was explaining that in his spiritual family, relationships are ultimately more important and longer-lasting than those formed in one’s physical family.



SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Lord, the power of the Resurrection is not lost on me today. The power to overcome death and sin is the cornerstone of our faith. Without the Resurrection, we have a good man who died tragically. Jesus, thank you for loving me so much that you would die for me. And thank you lord, for breaking the chains of death and the busting down the gates of hell.

May you find in my a heart that is receptive to do Your will and a life that is fruitful - 100x over. Forgive me Lord when I fall short. Forgive me when my selfishness takes over. I want to be used by You to make a difference in the lives of others. Speak to hearts this morning. Draw people to you. Give people the courage to step across the line and receive you as their Savior and Lord.

“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12 (NIV)