Luke 8
Scripture
Luke 8:14-15
Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.
Observation-What does it say?
There are several examples of Jesus teaching in parables throughout the gospels. Parables were effective teaching tools because they were easy to remember and used familiar scenes. The scenes were often the places of employment of the audience: i.e. farmers, shepherds and wine makers. Some of the parables had hidden meanings, which would prompt the sincere of heart to inquire further to God’s truth. This particular parable is one of three that are found in the synoptic gospels, the others being the parable of the mustard seed and the parable of the vineyard.
Often, Jesus gave an explanation of the parables only to those closest to him: his apostles and disciples. Here, after hearing the parable they questioned the meaning and he told them directly. Each type of soil represents the status of the hearts of those hearing God’s good news. The seed never changes, but the result of the sowing does based on the condition of the soil
Understanding-What does it mean?
One of my all time favorite movies is “A River Runs Through It.” Based on a book of short stories by the author, Norman Maclean, and chronicles his life as a fly fisher in Montana during the early part of the twentieth century. During the movie, the brother of Norman’s love interest comes to town from California. It is clear the brother has made a series of poor choices in life and is in need of some help. Prompted by his love interest and her family, Norman takes the brother fishing. However the brother arrives drunk and with an unsavory lady friend. At the culmination of the fishing trip, the brother ends up with a severely sun-burnt body, from head to toe, which causes some bad blood between Norman and his love. Ultimately, his love comes to the realization that it wasn’t Norman’s fault for the problems her brother has and comments, “How come the people who need the most help won’t take it?”
God’s gift of eternal life, like the gift of companionship and fishing, is a free gift and only needs to be grasped by those in need of it. But, despite the widespread availability of it, there are those who are unwilling to come to the freedom found through Jesus. The world around us though, affects our ability to find our way to Him. We are bombarded with messages of an easy life through materialism and tempted with ways to make us feel better through things other than him. Jesus advises us to seek him and tells it will be harder to be the good soil we want to be. ““Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”(Matthew 7:13-14)
Life Application
Jesus, help me to be a guide for those looking for the narrow path. Give me ways to help prepare the soil of those who hear your word, so they can bear fruit with repentance. Also, help me to readily accept the times when I need to be tilled and plowed in order to bear more fruit.
-Tyler Galloway